The Anhaltische Gemäldegalerie in Dessau shows how paintings from the past touch our present - a house that places old masters and modern perspectives in an exciting dialog.
The Anhalt Picture Gallery is one of the most important collections of Old Masters in Central Germany. Its realm is Georgium Palace in the extensive Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom, where the gallery has been a guest since 1959 and combines the historical ambience with art.
The gallery has its origins in collections formed over the centuries by the Princely House of Anhalt and municipal institutions and was officially founded in 1927. Today it presents almost 1,800 paintings and 18,000 graphic works - from the late Middle Ages to the modern era. The focus is on works from the 15th to 19th centuries, with prominent representatives such as Lucas Cranach the Elder and German painters of the Goethe era.
View of the Anhaltische Gemäldegalerie Dessau © Anhaltische Gemäldegalerie Dessau
In over 20 rooms of the permanent exhibition, a chronological view of epochs, stylistic developments and personalities in art history unfolds. Parts of the graphic art collection are also on display as part of special presentations. The gallery sees itself as a lively place: educational programs, guided tours and research projects (such as provenance research on Nazi acquisitions) complement the art experience.
A visit to the Anhalt Picture Gallery is therefore more than just looking at historical paintings - it is an encounter with the cultural and historical identity of Dessau, with artistic tradition and a house that preserves art history and at the same time makes it transparent.
