Dresden from the Right Bank of the Elbe, above the Augustusbrücke

Bernardo Bellotto's Dresden from the Right Bank of the Elbe of 1747 depicts the Saxon capital from across the river — the famous silhouette of baroque domes, towers, and the Frauenkirche reflected in the broad Elbe — in one of the most celebrated topographic paintings of the eighteenth century. Bellotto had been appointed court painter to Augustus III of Saxony in 1747, and his Dresden views documented the splendid Baroque capital with a precision that has made them invaluable historical records. The city he painted was largely destroyed in the 1945 firebombing, giving his views special documentary importance.

Bellotto renders the Dresden skyline with extraordinary architectural precision and a cool, silvery palette that distinguishes his work from his uncle Canaletto's warmer Venetian light. The panoramic format and the meticulous detail create a topographic record of remarkable accuracy.