The exhibition in the Hermitage for the first time presents the work as fully German master XVIII century, received the title of "artist of all schools" for their ability to recreate the style of any famous predecessor

State Hermitage Museum, November 28, 2012 - February 24, 2013
third floor of the Winter Palace

The State Hermitage Museum opened the exhibition "Artists of all schools. Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich (1712-1774) ", dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding German painter, during his life, and the recognition of known both in Germany and throughout Europe. Dietrich became famous as the "artist of all schools" - the master, capable to recreate the style of the works of any famous predecessor.

Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich Sacrifice of Abraham. 1730 oil on wood Source: hermitagemuseum.org

Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich Landscape with Saint William (in the manner of Salvator Rosa). 1740s. Etching Source : hermitagemuseum.org

However, after the artist's death descendants began sharply criticizing his work, and it is for the qualities that I admired contemporaries: imitation, compilation, imitatorstvo. since views and tastes public and art critics have changed. now hear more and more voices, paid tribute to the merits of the Saxon masters.

In Russia, the name of Dietrich know very little, mainly to collectors, who still kept his paintings and drawings. Sometimes they exist under the names of other artists, usually XVII century Dutch painters who master often imitated, following the tastes of his countrymen and contemporaries, who preferred the Dutch school of painting last century all the other European schools.

Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich Italian landscape with a bridge. 1750s oil on canvas Source: hermitagemuseum.org

Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich Sea coast to the ruins of the tower. 1753 oil on canvas Source: hermitagemuseum.org

Dietrich studied art at the famous Saxon landscape painter Johann Alexander Thiele, who introduced him to the court of Augustus the Strong as a promising young talent. His patron was the Saxon minister, the famous collector and patron Count Heinrich Bruhl. The artist was lucky to live and work during the Saxon rulers - Elector Frederick Augustus I, or Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), who became King of Poland (Frederick Augustus II), and his son, Elector Frederick Augustus II (Polish King Friedrich August III), which believed to encourage arts important task of the state.

Due to the large construction Dresden was one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. By 1732 architect MD Poeppelmann completed construction of the famous Zwinger, which subsequently publish the Dresden Gallery . native artists were not represented in the gallery of the court. only exception was the work of Dietrich, who learned to imitate European models with the skill that enabled Saxon rulers and other customers to place it next to the picture of Italian, French, Dutch, and especially loved. imitate them while Many German painters: IK Zeekatts, I. Troutman, HG Schutz, J. Junker and others, but Dietrich won incomparably more attention professionals. His phenomenon lies in the fact that, in his best things, like pictures and graphic works, through diligent and skilful imitation comes through his personal feeling of the image, especially the landscape in which he manages to convey a momentary state of nature and poignant mood. This applies in most landscapes of the 1750's, made by Italian and impressions drawings made during a brief stay in Italy in 1743 ("Landscape with the herd", "Sea coast to the ruins of the tower," "Italian Landscape with Bridge", "Landscape with the river between the rocks"). Such creative impetus it gave not only nature of Italy and of Italian JB Castiglione, and most importantly - italyaniziruyuschih Dutch first N. Berchem, J. Botha, A. and A. Cuyp Everdingen.

Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich Etude peasant figures with the kid. Around 1750 Sanguine Source: hermitagemuseum.org

Hermitage collection of paintings Dietrich is the largest outside Germany and includes 31 picture. 22 of them contain the signature or monogram labels. Their quantity and composition can adequately provide a variety of genres of the master. This anniversary exhibition - the first monographic exhibition devoted to the work of Saxon artist. Many of his works were first presented to the audience. They have not left the vaults of the museum. Particularly interesting in this regard, four large decorative paintings depicting landscapes with animals: they are written in the early period of the artist and the show is already a fairly mature skill of the painter.

no less famous than the paintings, graphic works of Dietrich enjoyed. His etchings were imitations of the masters of the past. often references the names of many of its Prints have notes, "in the manner of Rembrandt," "taste Jordaens," "in the manner of Salvator Rosa." Acme skill Dietrich-etcher reached in the period 1739 - mid 1750's when they were created about 40 sheets, mostly in the genre of landscape. Dietrich collection of prints in the Hermitage is significant in scope and origin. It includes a large number of rare prints of early states. best of them are exhibited in this exhibition. Presentation on the work of the master adds a small amount of his drawings he created in various genres.

the exhibition State Hermitage Publishing House prepared an illustrated catalog. Curator - Maria Pavlovna Garlova, senior researcher in the Department of Western European Art of the State Hermitage Museum.

Source : hermitagemuseum.org