Exhibition of works by an 18th-century artist Christian Dietrich in the Hermitage

The exhibition “The Artist of All Schools” began to work in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the three hundredth anniversary of the popular 18th-century artist Christian Dietrich, who served as a court painter for Frederick Augustus II, Elector of Saxony. The exhibition is located in one of the halls of the Hermitage, which has the largest collection of works by Dietrich in the world (except Germany).

The artist worked in various genres, portraits and landscapes, religious and genre compositions became his legacy. At the exhibition, open until February 24, you can get acquainted not only with the paintings of Dietrich, but also with graphics made using various techniques. Art historians note that the artist’s best works were landscape compositions written in his own style, developed in the study of the painting technique of artists from countries in which he visited for the purpose of training.

Born into the artist’s family, Christian Dietrich received his first painting skills from his father. Then, as a 15-year-old boy, he began his studies with the famous landscape painter, Alexander Thiele. After graduation, Dietrich served with the Dresden Elector for four years, and then went to study the work of renowned Dutch painters. Particularly interested in the young German artist, the work of Rembrandt, his magnificent ability to reproduce the effects of lighting of nature on canvases.

After returning to Dresden, Christian Dietrich received the title of court painter from the Polish king. Then there were trips to Italy, the study of the French school of painting. The main feature of the work of Dietrich and the reason for their popularity was the ability to harmoniously use a combination of different schools of painting, receiving a unique author’s style.

Ludmila Trautmane