Gezicht op de zuidelijke ingang van de Zwinger in Dresden 1887

This photograph captures the southern entrance of the Zwinger in Dresden, and was created by Stengel & Markert. The Zwinger, initially conceived as an orangery and garden, swiftly evolved into a site for court festivities. This image offers a glimpse into the world of the Saxon monarchy, and their aspirations of power and cultural prestige. It reflects the identity of Dresden as a hub of artistic and political ambition. Consider what it meant for the monarchy to display power through architecture, during a time of shifting social structures. The photograph invites us to reflect on the contrasts between the opulence of the architecture and the lives of those who existed outside its walls. While this photograph presents an idealized vision, it also prompts questions about whose stories remain untold.