View of Dresden from Pieschen c. 1805

Adrian Zingg created this sepia drawing of Dresden from Pieschen, capturing the city's skyline along the Elbe River. Likely made in the late 18th century, this artwork reflects the growing interest in landscape and the picturesque, aligning with the rise of tourism and the viewing of nature as a form of cultural and national identity. The composition, with its careful arrangement of trees, water, and distant architecture, is not just a record of Dresden. It is a commentary on the values of the educated middle class, with people strolling and enjoying leisure activities in a cultivated landscape. Dresden, then the capital of Saxony, was a center of art and culture, supported by the ruling elite. The drawing seems to both celebrate and idealize the city, but also hints at the social order, with clear distinctions between those at leisure and those working on the boats. To fully appreciate this drawing, we must explore not only the artist's biography and technique, but also the social and political context of Saxony in the late 1700s. By using historical archives, we can better understand its role in shaping cultural values.