An exhibition of rare treasures from the Saxon State Library will open at the Library of Congress on April 11. "Dresden: Treasures from the Saxon State Library" will present a rich sampling of German and European history and culture from the High Middle Ages, Renaissance and Romantic periods.
The Saxon State Library began as a royal collection in Dresden, Germany, 440 years ago. The 185 treasures in this exhibition, which survived the Dresden fire bombings of World War II, were largely unavailable to Westerners during the 40 years that Saxony was under communist rule. They were chosen for their beauty, uniqueness and historical significance and include rare manuscripts, prints, maps, copper etchings, paintings and musical scores. Highlights include:
- Priceless manuscripts from the Middle Ages including literature by Horace and Ovid and Italian poets Petrarch and Boccaccio.
- The first German-language Bible, translated from the Latin by Martin Luther.
- Unique or original musical scores by Bach, Vivaldi, Schutz, Wagner and Schumann.
- An original letter by Goethe.
- Images from Dresden life, such as a staged hunt in the town square and a fancy dress procession.
- Original drawings of Dresden's baroque palaces and churches.
The exhibition is the result of four years of collaboration between the Saxon State Library and the Library of Congress. It closes on July 13. For those unable to see it in person, it is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/dres/.
