Fürstenzug


The Fürstenzug in Dresden, Germany, is a monumental mural depicting a mounted procession of the rulers of Saxony. Originally painted between 1871 and 1876 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the House of Wettin, it was later transferred onto approximately 23,000 Meissen porcelain tiles between 1904 and 1907 to ensure its durability. At in length, it is considered the largest porcelain artwork in the world. The mural portrays the ancestral lineup of 35 margraves, electors, dukes, and kings of the House of Wettin from 1127 to 1904.
The Fürstenzug adorns the outer wall of the Stallhof of Dresden Castle.

History

By 1589, the outer wall of the recently built Stallhof of the Dresden Castle was already decorated with a fresco.
For the upcoming 800th anniversary of the House of Wettin in 1889, another stucco version of a large-scale mural was commissioned. It was painted by the artist Wilhelm Walther between 1871 and 1876. Since the picture rapidly deteriorated, it was replaced with about 23,000 Meissen porcelain tiles between 1904 and 1907. The mural depicts the 35 Saxon margraves, electors, dukes and kings from Conrad, Margrave of Meissen, who ruled in the 12th century, to George of Saxony who was king for only two years in the 20th century. The only ones missing are Heinrich I von Eilenburg and the last king of Saxony, Frederick Augustus III, who ruled from 1904 to 1918. Also shown are 59 scientists, artisans, craftsmen, children and farmers.
Only minimal damage to the tiles resulted from the February 13, 1945 bombing of Dresden.

Shown noblemen

The 35 noblemen, Margraves, Electors, Dukes and Kings, are shown on horseback while foot soldiers and other people accompany them. The name of each ruler is inscribed below his image. Everyone depicted wears contemporary clothing.

Dimensions

The Fürstenzug is long and high. Due to 18 windows in the upper part, the tile area comprises. Each tile measures by. Hence, approximately 23,000 tiles are placed on the wall.