This exhibition at the Royal Łazienki Museum delves into the cultural policy and art collections amassed by the Wettin dynasty rulers, Augustus II and Augustus III. It highlights how these influential figures utilized magnificent European artworks and grand festivities as instruments of propaganda during their 18th-century reign over the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Featuring approximately 200 significant pieces from Dresden and Polish collections, the display offers a profound exploration of common Polish-Saxon history.
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This exhibition showcases several hundred precious works collected by Augustus II and Augustus III, highlighting their significant art collections that were prominent in 18th-century Europe. It explores the Wettin dynasty's cultural policy and their use of art for propaganda during their reign.
The exhibition "Splendour of Power. The House of Wettin on the Throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth" presents a curated selection of approximately 200 outstanding works from both Dresden and Polish collections, offering a rare glimpse into the common Polish-Saxon history. It highlights the artistic and cultural achievements of Augustus II and Augustus III, who amassed one of Europe's most important art collections during their 66-year union with Poland. The display includes valuable historical objects such as the Crosses of the Order of the White Eagle, ceremonial attire, German sabres, Meissen porcelain, and significant paintings like "Venus" by Jacopo Palma Vecchio, illustrating the rulers' conscious pursuit of art and propaganda. This exhibition serves as a revival of knowledge about the Polish-Saxon union, a legacy still visible today in Dresden and Warsaw. It delves into the period of political struggle and internal conflicts, revealing how Augustus II and Augustus III employed the 'splendour of power' through grandiose architecture, art collections, and lavish festivities to influence and project their authority. The display features items that tell the story of crucial events during the Polish-Saxon Union and the establishment of the Polish state's international standing, emphasizing the role of art in royal propaganda and court culture.
Entrance to the exhibition is free. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 16:00, and Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
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