Voices Mag

Hercules in the Großer Garten
At the Herkulesallee in the Großer Garten (Dresden)
Hercules Rock Pillars
Rosenthal-Bielatal (Saxon Switzerland)
Hercules in Großsedlitz
Baroque Garden Großsedlitz (Heidenau)
Hercules in the Blüherpark
Blüherpark (Dresden)
Hercules on Top of the Tower of City Hall
Tower of City Hall (Dresden)
Hercules near the Palais
At the Herkulesallee in the Großer Garten (Dresden)
Hercules in Leipzig
Lützschena Castle Grounds (Leipzig)

    Legal Notice

    This media station is part of the exhibition "Hercules – Hero and Antihero" (22.11.2025—28.06.2026) at the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery) and the Skulpturensammlung bis 1800 (Sculpture Collection up to 1800).

     

     

    Concept: Jacob Franke, Simone Seifert

     

    Editing: Aline Gruner, Simone Seifert

     

    Image editing: Aline Gruner

     

    Translation: Valentin Sebastian Lorenz

     

    Technological realization and support: XIMA Media GmbH

     

     

    We would like to express our sincere thanks to:

     

    Auwaldstation Leipzig

    Schaubergwerk "Herkules-Frisch-Glück"

    Robert Jentzsch

    Archiv Barockgarten Großsedlitz

    Axel Pätzold

    Britta-Prema Hirschburger (Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz)

    Harald Brünig

    Leo Seidel

    Do you have any comments, suggestions or questions? Write us an email. QR Code

    Herkules Saxonici

    Hardly any other mythical figure is as ubiquitous as Hercules. This is especially true in Saxony. Not only is his story told in many sculptures and paintings of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, but Augustus II the Strong also saw himself as the Saxon version of the hero, as "Herkules Saxonicus". Today, we encounter Hercules here in many different forms. On this map, we have marked the locations of these "Herkules Saxonici".

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    The Death of Hercules
    The Death of Hercules

    Welcome to voices, the digital platform of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden! More

    18. December 2025 — Film
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    One for All

    There was a time when it was almost everywhere. Today, you have to look a bit closer. But those who know it can still find it in all kinds of places: households, garages, workshops, and, of course, flea markets. Its name might appear a bit stilted, but, without a doubt, it's a true classic: the EW 1192.

    29. October 2025 — Talk
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    Stepping Out of Line

    Using performative actions, various artists of the late GDR broke the tight boundaries of the official art scene. Their works were subversive, ephemeral, and radically carnal. Today, they are important attestations to artistic self-empowerment. The exhibition Stepping out of Line. Woman Action Artists in the GDR (Albertinum, 17 May – 31 August, extended until 23 November 2025) garnered more visibility for these positions. Here, we are presenting video interviews, which were created to be contemporary witness reports as part of the exhibition.

    Two blue crossed swords as the logo of Meissen Porcelain on blue, white and black rectangular tiles.

    Searching for Traces: Meissen Murals in Dresden and Meissen

    In 1953, the Department of Artistic Wall Design was established at the State Porcelain Manufactory in Meissen. It carried out commissions throughout the GDR. The designs came from the manufactory's own collective of artists and external artists. This map provides an overview of the murals in Dresden and Meissen. Some have already fallen victim to remodelling and renovation, while others can still be viewed on site, which we cordially invite you to do with this map.

    Wanted! Meissen Pocelain in Private Hands

    Meissen porcelain is highly sought after, not only in museums but also by private individuals. It is often associated with stories and history that are waiting to be told. That is why we have asked you to tell us about your own objects. Some of the submissions will be on display until 22 February 2026 in the exhibition ‘The Blue Swords. Meissen in the GDR’ at the Japanese Palace. You can read the stories here.

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