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

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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".

The Death of Hercules
The Death of Hercules

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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.

Searching for Traces: Meissen Murals in Dresden and Meissen

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.

Wanted! Meissen Pocelain in Private Hands
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Under the Spell of the Needle

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary in 2025, the Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden is looking back on its history. Selected objects from the collection are integrated in the different exhibitions of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen. At the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, this compass can be seen, showing much more than the cardinal directions.

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