View of Dresden in Germany

Tranquil view of Dresden from the late 18th century.

Known to an American audience primarily for the devastation it endured during World War II, the city of Dresden has a rich history dating back to its first Slavic settlement in the 12th century. It was home to electors of the Holy Roman Empire, dukes, and kings. Around the time of this print’s publication, Goethe described the town as having “unbelievable treasures of all kinds.”

A glimpse of such magnificence is visible in this attractive view of Dresden, published in Percival Barlow’s A General History of Europe around 1790. The River Elbe is in the foreground, with several small merchant vessels visible near the shoreline. An arched bridge, likely the predecessor to today’s Augustus Bridge, crosses the water into the walled city. Interestingly, a crucified man (possibly Jesus) can be seen on the right side. The skyline shows a number of steeples and important civic structures, with lush rolling hills of the Elbe Valley in the background. Most of the buildings were destroyed by aerial bombardment during the Second World War, but the Frauenkirche and Dresden Cathedral have both been restored and are visible to a modern audience.

Source: Dresden – City of Art; Ruins of Dresden