New splendor for Time steals beauty” in the Great Garden of Dresden

New splendor for Time steals beauty” in the Great Garden of Dresden

In the heart of Dresden, art is flourishing in public spaces! The sculpture group “Time steals beauty” shines again in its entirety in the Great Garden and attracts the attention of visitors. It was restored and documented as part of the Sculpture program in the Great Garden of Dresden. This measure, which was entrusted to the state-owned company Saxon Real Estate and Construction Management under the aegis of the Free State of Saxony, aims to halt the decay of historical works of art. Since 2013, when the first damage to the sculpture was discovered, efforts have been made to ensure that these masterpieces are preserved for future generations.

The Great Garden should not only be a place for relaxation, but also a showcase for contemporary art. With the opening of an open-air exhibition to document the construction of the sculpture program, those interested can now find out more detailed information about the reconstruction of the sculptures. A seven-person team consisting of restorers, sculptors and craftsmen worked with great commitment on this impressive restoration.

Restoration with sensitivity

The impressive group of figures, created by Pietro Balestra between 1686 and 1689, is a true jewel in the garden. However, the original sculpture is badly damaged and urgently needs protection. A steel frame is currently holding it upright while restoration work progresses in a makeshift workshop at the palace. The Potsdam sculptor and restorer Andreas Klein has the challenging task of creating a copy of the damaged sculpture from valuable Carrara marble. The marble block, which weighs around 21 tons and is more than three meters high, was specially imported from Italy, which turned out to be a real challenge. Klein uses traditional techniques and tools to complete the impressive replica. This is expected to be completed by autumn 2024 and will then attract attention from the Schmuckplatz.

Around 3.9 million euros are available for the entire sculpture program until 2027, which will be financed by tax revenue from the budget resolution of the Saxon state parliament. This money will be used for the restoration and preservation of a total of 37 sculptures in the Great Garden in order to preserve the historical value of the facility while appealing to a wide audience.

A look into the future

But what happens to the original sculptures that cannot remain outdoors? A new sculpture depot is currently being built on the garden grounds to better protect these works. The shell construction is scheduled to begin next week, and the sculpture “Time steals beauty” will be among the exhibits that will be housed in the depot in the future.

This comprehensive work is carried out not only to protect historical works of art, but also to give citizens access to art in public spaces. Wikipedia describes how such projects help to increase the attractiveness of public spaces and promote communal cultural life. Art is not only intended for an elite audience - it only achieves its true meaning in dialogue with people.

The abundance of committed restorers and artists shows the great interest in preserving cultural heritage, not only in Dresden but also beyond. It will therefore be interesting to see how the work develops and what new projects are coming up in the future. The Great Garden therefore remains a lively place where history and modern art come together.