Johann Alexander Thiele
This motif is available free of charge as a collectable postcard at hosts and information points along this 7th stage of the Malerweg trail.
Born March 26th, 1685 in Erfurt and died May 22nd, 1752 in Dresden, Johann Alexander Thiele was quite famous in his time, but unjustly has largely been forgotten today. From 1738 to his death, Thiele was electoral court painter to the Saxon ruler Augustus III.
He made numerous views of Albertine Saxony featuring the Elbe valley between Meissen, Dresden and Pirna up to Königstein Fortress.
As a teacher, he founded a rich tradition of Saxon landscape painting. On the picture of Königstein Fortress seen here, some characteristics of Romantic landscape painting are already obvious despite the typical baroque abundance of details in the topographic items and individual figures.
Malerweg trail – 7th stage:
These are the places where artists painted:
Königstein Fortress: The imposing mountain fortress on the table mountain of the same name has always been a popular motif. Long before the beginning of Romanticism, the Saxon electors themselves ensured that their masterpiece of fortification was immortalised in pictures. Thus, numerous drawings, prints and paintings of the fortress were made - among others by Bernardo Bellotto (called Canaletto) and Adrian Zingg. With its own collection and special exhibitions, Königstein Fortress also appears as a place of art.
Thürmsdorf Village: One of the viewing points which are almost forgotten today is the one at the former mausoleum of the Biedermann family above Thürmsdorf village, now the Malerweg chapel. The big bend of the Elbe River framed by the table mountains was a popular motif 200 years ago. It speaks for the painters' eye that they discovered what was special about this inconspicuous spot.
