Ceiling painting in the mathematical-physical salon of the Dresden Zwinger

The ceiling paintings in the Mathematical-Physical Salon of the Dresden Zwinger were completed by Louis de Silvestre in 1723. They were destroyed in the air raids on Dresden .

description

After Louis de Silvestre was called to Dresden from Paris in 1715, he was commissioned to paint the ceilings in 1717. The frescoes were completed in 1723 and adorned the ceilings of the building until it was destroyed in 1945.

Main room

The theme of the frescoes was the story of Apuleius' story Amor and Psyche - a theme that Raphael had already used for the summer house of the Villa Farnesina - with the corresponding variations of the homage to Augustus the Strong. Mercury announces his mission that Venus wants Psyche to be seized. Psyche now presents itself voluntarily. Venus assigns her four unsolvable tasks that Psyche is now supposed to solve. Due to the numerous helpers, Psyche is able to solve the task given to it. Cupid, who has since forgiven Psyche, also intervenes and asks Jupiter to put an end to the chaos. Jupiter then calls a meeting of the gods and makes public that Psyche and Amor are allowed to marry. He arranges for Psyche to be performed by Mercury in Olympus, where he hands Psyche the cup himself, from which to drink it gives immortality.

The fresco in the main room represented the following main groups: 1.) Jupiter sits on clouds and holds up his goblet in which Ganymede pours the drink of immortality. 2.) Next to Jupiter is Juno with a peacock. 3.) Cupid accompanies Psyche, which Mercury carries up to Olympus. 4.) Neptune, Diana and Apollo sit above this group. 6.) On the left side next to Juno is Minerva with helmet and spear, Ceres on a bundle of ears and Hercules with his club. 6.) Next to this group (oriented to the narrow side) is Bacchus with his entourage in a brook channel. 7.) Next to it in the corner Kronos as a winged old man. 8.) Next to Kronos there is a winged genius with two torches on clouds, which Cupids play with garlands of flowers. (Cupid's wreath) 9.) On the other narrow side, the group of Mars and Venus.

Figure group Mercury, Psyche and Amor (below) Neptune, Diana and Apollo (above).
Figure group Juno (with peacock), Jupiter (with chalice) and Ganymede (with jug)
Minerva with helmet and spear, Ceres on a bundle of ears of corn and Hercules with his club.
Group of Mars and Venus.
Bachanal
Kronos
Wreath of Cupid

Side rooms

The southwest side room showed the following four scenes: 1.) Psyche on a throne, cupids hold a mirror in front of her. To the side behind are her two envious sisters. 2.) Fama proclaims the glory of the psyche over heaven and earth. 3.) A victim to psyche. 4.) In the middle of the picture Venus is sitting on the clouds, flanked by her chariot with two pigeons sitting on its drawbar. Venus instructs her son Amor to punish Psyche. She points down to Psyche.

A victim to psyche.
Fama blowing trumpets proclaims the glory of the psyche over heaven and earth.
Venus instructs her son Amor to punish Psyche. Venus points down to Psyche.
Cupids hold a mirror up to Psyche at her toilet. To the side behind are her two envious sisters.

The northeastern adjoining room showed the following four scenes: 1.) Venus sends a petition to Jupiter in which she implores Mercury's help. He is supposed to capture her rival Psyche on earth. Between Venus and Jupiter there is Cupid, who also turns to Jupiter pleadingly, who has meanwhile fallen in love with Psyche himself. Apulejus separates the two petitions in time, while Silvestre combines both scenes. 2.) Zephyr, as a slender youthful figure with butterfly wings, scatters flowers. 3.) Genius, as a snake youthful figure with a wreath of flowers in his hair and a light-burning torch in his hand, leads the dance of three cupids. 4.) Eris, goddess of discord, appears with a smoking torch.

Genius, crowned with a wreath of flowers, holds a light-burning torch in his hand. He leads the dance of three cupids.
Eris, goddess of discord with a smoking torch.
Jupiter, Venus and Mercury
Zephyr with butterfly wings, scatters flowers

literature

Harald Marx: On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony. Dissertation, Halle 1971; here are the chapters: On the ceiling paintings in the Mathematical-Physical Salon of the Dresden Zwinger. (Pp. 70–80) and the decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger. (Pp. 121–127)

Web links

Commons : Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (Zwinger, Dresden) - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

^ Fritz Löffler: The Zwinger in Dresden. 2nd Edition. Leipzig 1976, p. 54.
↑ Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 70f.
↑ Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 70f.
↑ Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 72f.

[löffler54-1] Fritz Löffler: The Zwinger in Dresden. 2nd Edition. Leipzig 1976, p. 54.

[2] Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 70f.

[3] Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 70f.

[4] Harald Marx (ed.): The decorative monumental paintings in the Dresden Zwinger . In: ders. (Ed.): On the decorative painting of the 18th century in Saxony , art history dissertation. Halle / Saale 1971, p. 72f.