A research project on Baroque residential culture at the Albertine-Saxon courts in present-day Saxony-Anhalt has produced its first results. The aim was to identify objects that were transferred from the former Electoral Saxon residences to the electoral seat in Dresden in the 18th century.
A total of 478 objects could have been assigned - including 96 for Merseburg Castle. 416 objects came from the Armory and 62 from the Green Vault. The origin of exhibits from the Dresden State Art Collections' Armory and Green Vault was investigated from 2023 to 2025, as announced by the Saale district administration office.
New exhibition concepts
The results are to be incorporated into the expansion and deepening of the permanent exhibitions of the participating museums in future. In addition, digital formats and regular joint special exhibitions are planned from 2028. The results will now enable new exhibition concepts and simplified loan processes.
"This research project has created the first structure for cooperation between museums in Saxony-Anhalt and the Dresden State Art Collections, which offers development opportunities for all partners," explained Karin Heise, Director of the Museum of Cultural History at Merseburg Castle.
A museum association was founded in 1993. This includes the former Electoral Saxon residential palaces of Merseburg, Weißenfels and Zeitz as well as the former secondary residences of Neuenburg in Freyburg and Querfurt Castle. The project costs amounted to around 169,800 euros and were financed by the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the Ostdeutsche Sparkassenstiftung.
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