Dresden State Art Collections: A Grand Furniture Revival!
Alright, folks, brace yourselves! It seems we’re about to get a lesson in art, history, and furniture that will have your grandmother’s antique coffee table looking positively pedestrian. The Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) are rolling out the red carpet for a truly spectacular exhibition that is set to make even the most jaded of us gasp: the furniture of Jean-Pierre Latz! That’s right, a name that might not immediately ring a bell but trust me, once you see his work, it will haunt your dreams—like that time you realized you left the oven on, but you were in Budapest!
The Exhibition: ‘Fait á Paris’
The exhibition is aptly titled “Fait á Paris. The art furniture of Jean-Pierre Latz at the Dresden Court”. It showcases 30 individual objects or 20 ensembles of furniture that have been tucked away since the Second World War. And here’s the kicker: they’re flaunting their old beauty for all to see until February 2025! Yes, that’s right, 2025! So mark that in your calendars because this is one art party you won’t want to miss!
General Director Marion Ackermann delights in proclaiming, “It is the world’s first comprehensive exhibition on Jean-Pierre Latz.” That’s right, the first! So if you were thinking about heading to see Grandma or binge-watching reruns of Friends, perhaps think again—this is a historical event you won’t want to overlook.
A Treasure Rediscovered
After being lost in time—like that favorite shirt you can never seem to find again—the collection was rediscovered at the Kunstgewerbemuseum in the late 2000s. And boy, does it have a history! Latz’s creations are unique in that they’ve been in Dresden since the 1700s, fully documented and in their authentic condition. It’s almost poetic to think that this incredible furniture has withstood wars that would make even a circus performer cry!
As Ackermann puts it, this exhibition showcases “what masterpieces of craftsmanship furniture is” and let me tell you, they’re not lying. Grandfather clocks are magnificent—like if a clock went to gym and really hit those reps. And the cabinets? Don’t even get me started; they’re more luxurious than a silk bathrobe, likely to inspire unholy levels of jealousy among your dinner guests.
The War Years: A Bit of History
Now, let’s wander down memory lane, shall we? Some of these precious pieces were commandeered during the war or, worse yet, bombed to bits! It’s like a tragic episode of Antiques Roadshow where instead of “Aunt Edna’s old vase,” you get to hear tales of lost cabinets worth more than a small country! After much misfortune and neglect, these treasures were relegated to storerooms and forgotten like last year’s fashion trends.
But thanks to the good folks at SKD and a touch of modern restoration wizardry combined with a voracious appetite for research, these masterpieces are once again getting the attention they deserve. I mean, who doesn’t love a good comeback story? Except for perhaps the cardboard cutout of your ex that you just can’t seem to throw out!
A Sneak Peek of the Collection
This exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what Latz, one of the renowned Parisian cabinetmakers of yore, had to offer the world. You might think, “But isn’t furniture just furniture?” Oh, sweet summer child! When crafted by the hands of such a skilled artisan, it transcends mere function. This isn’t just furniture; it’s an experience! Prepare to be enveloped in a world of elegance, craftsmanship, and art that even the finest IKEA can only dream of producing.
Conclusion
So whether you’re a connoisseur of art, a lover of history, or merely someone looking for an excuse to wear something other than sweatpants, the Dresden State Art Collections has opened its doors to you, and with it, a treasure trove of Latz’s breathtaking furniture. For as long as this exhibition runs, the clocks will tick, and the cabinets will stand proudly, waiting to remind us all that history, beauty, and a touch of cheeky charm can always come back to life—just as long as you have a decent museum to showcase it! So what are you waiting for? Go out there and bask in the beauty of craftsmanship!
Magnificent grandfather clocks and valuable cabinets: The Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) are presenting their inventory of furniture by the famous Parisian cabinetmaker Jean-Pierre Latz (1691-1754) for the first time since the Second World War. The 30 individual objects or 20 ensembles are entitled “Fait á Paris. The art furniture of Jean-Pierre Latz at the Dresden Court” will be united in the state rooms of the residential palace until the beginning of February 2025 – most of them in their old beauty. Since 2018, they have been researched, restored and preserved as part of a long project with the help of several foundations and patrons – using the most modern methods.
Z+ (subscription content); Carola Bridge in Dresden: An invisible danger within
Z+ (subscription content); Avignon: France’s new icon
Z+ (subscription content); Life on the ICE: Compartment is a luxury
Unique inventory long forgotten
“It is the world’s first comprehensive exhibition on Jean-Pierre Latz,” said SKD General Director Marion Ackermann. Another special feature is “that so much of his furniture doesn’t exist anywhere else.” The collection was rediscovered in the Kunstgewerbemuseum at the end of the 2000s. The treasures have now returned to the place where they were until 1945 and are supplemented by loans from Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam and the Palazzo Del Quirinale in Rome. According to Ackermann, the show also shows “what masterpieces of craftsmanship furniture is.”
According to SKD, the collection is also unique because the furniture has been in Dresden since it was purchased in the second half of the 18th century, is fully documented and is in authentic condition. Some were relocated due to the war, others were badly damaged in the bombing of the city and were considered war losses for years. Because of their condition, they were then sent to the depot and were forgotten – and only came back to light during the inventory with the introduction of the Daphne museum database in 2008.
Magnificent grandfather clocks and valuable cabinets: The Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) are presenting their inventory of furniture by the famous Parisian cabinetmaker Jean-Pierre Latz (1691-1754) for the first time since the Second World War. The 30 individual objects or 20 ensembles are entitled “Fait á Paris. The art furniture of Jean-Pierre Latz at the Dresden Court” will be united in the state rooms of the residential palace until the beginning of February 2025 – most of them in their old beauty. Since 2018, they have been researched, restored and preserved as part of a long project with the help of several foundations and patrons – using the most modern methods.
