Moritzburg (dpa/sn) - A precious historical tapestry with the portrait of Emperor Charles V is back in Moritzburg Castle near Dresden after 77 years. The important tapestry made of silk, gold and silver threads was acquired in the summer with financial help from the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung. They "made possible what seemed impossible for a long time," said the managing director of the state palace administration, Christian Striefler, at the presentation on Tuesday. Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch (CDU) also thanked the two foundations, because acquisitions of this kind are only possible with their repeated commitment in and for Saxony.
The approximately four square meter signed work of art was woven in Leipzig in 1545 by a textile artist from Flanders and shows a half-length portrait of the Habsburg Emperor Charles V (1500-1558). It was part of the furnishings of the then new Dresden residential palace of Elector Moritz von Sachsen, who owed his title to the emperor. From 1918 it was in Moritzburg, at the end of the Second World War in 1945 it was one of the few objects that Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony took with him when fleeing the Red Army. Decades later, when his descendants sold it to a gallery, the chance to return presented itself.
Such high-quality tapestries from the 16th century "are extremely rare today and are hardly ever traded on the art market," said Markus Hilgert, Secretary General of the Cultural Foundation of the Federal States. The "unique work of art" reveals a section of European history that is significant far beyond the region of Saxony, "the reign of Charles V and the search for a solution to the religious question". The "Returner" is on display in the Monstrose Hall until the end of October - and again after the winter exhibition from spring 2023.
