--- title: "🎨 Art and History PAINTER'S WAY ELBE SANDSTONE MOUNTAINS" url: "https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/hiking/malerweg/art-and-history" description: "Artists from yesterday and today have not without reason shaped one of Germany's most popular long-distance hiking trails. ▶️Here you can learn more about the painters and artists from then and now." language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Saxon Switzerland > HIKING > MALERWEG > Art and History" --- **Art and History on the Malerweg** =================================== **The Saxon Switzerland and the painters: That is an exciting story!** It begins in the mid-18th century with Johann Alexander Thiele, the first notable landscape painter to dedicate himself to the rocky world. The founding of the Dresden Art Academy also falls into this period. The peculiar landscape on the city's doorstep becomes a popular study subject. And it remains so to this day. Exhibitions, artist studios, and information boards along the Malerweg invite you to embark on a journey through the region's rich art and cultural history up to the present day. And with some luck, you might encounter a contemporary landscape painter at work along the way. - - - **How It All Began.** --------------------- A landscape becomes a pilgrimage site and study object. In fact, the artistic discovery of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains began as early as the first half of the 18th century. Even then, Johann Alexander Thiele contributed to making the beauty of the picturesque, rugged landscape known through his landscape paintings. Likewise, Bernardo Bellotto, famous as "Canaletto," who, like Thiele, served as a court painter in the service of the Saxon elector. However, the region only truly became fashionable as a study object later in the 18th century. Initially, the painters of the Dresden Art Academy came, including the Swiss Adrian Zingg and Anton Graff, to whom the name "Saxon Switzerland" for the Saxon part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is presumably owed. The landscape simply fit perfectly with the aesthetic ideal of the time: The "Sublime" and the "Beautiful"—according to the then prevalent aesthetic theories—merge here in an exemplary manner into the "Picturesque." The region becomes a mecca, a cross-genre study object. Caspar David Friedrich, Johann Christian Clausen Dahl, Carl Gustav Carus, Ludwig Richter, Carl Maria von Weber, Richard Wagner, Mary Shelley, William Turner, Hans Christian Andersen, and many more: The list of prominent visitors to the region reads like a who's who of European Romanticism. - Richter, Ludwig "70 Picturesque Views 3 Liebethal Quarries", copper engraving, 1820 - Stadler, Franz "Liebethaler Grund, Luck Mill" in an engraving from around 1800 - Tromlitz, A from "Die Sächsische Schweiz ... "Sächsische Schweiz 21 Lochmühle", steel engraving, black and white, mid-19th century - unknown artist, "Uttewalder Grund, Rock Gate in the", lithograph, f, G,el, mid-19th century - Zingg, Adrian / C.A. Richter "Wehlen, Wehlstaedtel Upstream along the Elbe" Copper Engraving from the First Half of the 19th Century - unknown artist, "Connecting Bridge between Alt- and Neurathen", aquatint, black and white, c. 1840 - Hasse, Christian "Elbe Sandstone Mountains (imaginary depiction)", watercolour - unknown artist, "View from the Bastei", lithograph, f, G,el, mid-19th century - Capt. Batty / R. Wallis "Hohnstein", steel engraving, black and white, 1825 - unknown artist, "Lichtenhain Waterfall, Inn", lithograph, f, G,el, c. 1850 - Johann Carl August Richter, “Kuhstall”, copper engraving, old colouring, first half of the 19th century - Hammer, Christian Gottlob, "Prebischtor", copper engraving, first half of the 19th century - Zingg, Adrian / J. Barnes "Lilienstein (Imaginary Landscape)", copper engraving, second half of the 18th century - Historic image of the Hirschmühle (Hasse Foundation) - Hasse, Ernst, "Schandau with the Winterberg", lithograph, black and white, mid-19th century - Arldt, Carl Wilhelm "Königstein The Königstein", lithograph, black and white, c. 1840 - Unknown Artist Sonnenstein, Pirna, lithograph **A path emerges, is forgotten, and rediscovered** -------------------------------------------------- Favorite paths soon emerge, crystallizing into an ideal route through the region. With the construction of the railway in the mid-19th century, it fell into obscurity. About 100 years later, a first attempt is made to revive the historic route. It is named Painter's Street, later known as the "Historic Painter's Path." The tourism association builds on this, optimizes the route layout, and adds a left bank section. Thus, in 2006, a stage hiking trail is opened that enchants today's visitors with its numerous moving landscapes, just as it once did the artists of Romanticism: the Painter's Path Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It begins in Pirna-Liebethal, leads through the National Park to the Czech border, and on the other side of the Elbe over five table mountains back to Pirna. Signs with the inscription "Malerweg" or a sweeping "M" (black on a white background) indicate the direction. A red dot next to the "M" signals that one is walking on the historic route. Originally, the length of the Painter's Path was specified as 112 kilometers. Today, it is said to be 116. The cause of the discrepancy is the error sources of various analog and digital recording methods. Ultimately, the length serves only as an orientation. The more useful benchmarks are the average walking times indicated on the signposts. **Art on the Move** ------------------- Information panels along the Malerweg, a free app with exciting details about history, and other offerings bring the art to life. Malerweg Art Stele in Königstein ### **Art-Historical Information Boards** **Art Historical Panels** Since 2012, art-historical display boards have been visible at 18 locations along the Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Where once famous paintings, drawings, and engravings were created, these very works are showcased and explained. Hiking the Malerweg thus also becomes a cultural experience. Each board displays a particularly significant artistic representation of the respective section of the hiking trail. Accompanying texts in German, Czech, and English provide compact background information. Wizani, Carl August, after Wagner, Area around Liebethal, copper engraving, first half of the 19th century ### **Inspirational Landscapes** **Artists have painted at these locations along the Painters' Way.** - Stage 1Richter, Ludwig "70 Picturesque Views 6 Ottowalde Rock Gate", engraving, 1820 **Liebethal Valley**: Numerous depictions of the romantic rock world between Liebethal and the former Lochmühle originated right at the starting point of the Painter's Path. **Lohmen**: The Lohmen Castle, located on a steep rock spur above the Wesenitz, offered a popular motif for the painters of Romanticism. **Uttewalde Valley**: Depictions of the Uttewalde rock gate in the late 18th century marked a shift in the perception of the landscape: horror at the primal force and threat of nature transformed into delight at the picturesque romanticism of becoming and passing away. Caspar David Friedrich sought solitude in the area for days, sketching the landscape. **Wehlen**: The idyllic view of the Elbe town has always attracted painters. In the historical stone quarries on the Elbe slope, still in use at the time, Impressionist Robert Sterl found numerous motifs. - Stage 2Richter, C. A. or L., Bastei, Neurathen Rock Gate, copper engraving, coloured **Bastei:** With its particularly impressive landscape, the Bastei area has always offered a wealth of visual motifs for artists. Caspar David Friedrich also immortalized it in some of his works. **Kurort Rathen:** Two hundred years ago, an adventurous and strenuous climb of 487 steps led through the Vogeltelle to the Bastei over the site of the Rathen rock stage. There are a number of impressive landscape depictions of this area. **Amselgrund:** The Amselfall was already a tourist magnet in the 19th century with its unique appeal. Until a few years ago, the artificially dammed waterfall (Amselfall) could be seen in action for a small fee. **Wehlgrund:** The landscape of the Wehlgrund, a side valley of the Amselgrund, is dominated by the imposing rock formation of the "Kleine Gans," from which numerous drawings, including those by Johann Christian Clausen Dahl, exist. - Stage 3Capt. Batty / R. Wallis "Hohnstein", steel engraving, black and white, 1825 **Hohnstein:** Its very location gives the town of Hohnstein a picturesque appearance. The immediate surroundings of the rocks and deeply cut valleys practically attracted painters. Correspondingly, the artistic testimonials are diverse; the highlight is the impressive castle perched on a rocky spur. **Brand:** Representations of the Brand viewpoint exist, among others, by Carl August Richter and Adrian Ludwig Richter. In a nearby grotto, an inscription by Moritz August von Thümmel (1738–1817) testifies to the overwhelming impression the landscape scenery made on the poet. **Waitzdorf:** After a steep ascent and descent, the hiker is rewarded with a picturesque village featuring original Umgebinde houses and the impressive Ochelaussicht. The view from here served multiple times as a motif for paintings well into the 20th century, including by Richard Naumann Coschütz. - Stage 4unknown artist, "Lichtenhain Waterfall, Inn", lithograph, f, G,el, c. 1850 **Kirnitzschtal:** In the Kirnitzschtal, wild rocky areas alternate with charming valley expanses with meadows. Several mills invited travelers to stop by and increasingly developed into attractive inns. **Schrammsteine:** The Schrammsteine are often considered the heart of the Saxon Switzerland. Two hundred years ago, there was probably still an overwhelming respect for the inaccessible wildness of their surroundings, as there are comparatively few pictorial representations of this rock formation. **Lichtenhainer Waterfall:** Since 1830, a small brook has been dammed here with a retractable weir, so that after opening the barrier, a powerful waterfall cascades into the depths. Those who could afford it were carried up to the Kuhstall by pack animals or in a sedan chair. **Kuhstall Cave:** In the mighty layer joint cave of the Kuhstall, the painters found a natural phenomenon of the greatest emotional impact on humans. - Stage 5Unknown artist, Pravčická Gate from the east, hand-coloured **Arnstein:** Centuries ago, Arnstein was home to a medieval rock castle called the "Ottendorf Robber Castle." Its enigmatic allure made it a popular subject for 19th-century painters. Adrian Zingg and Ludwig Richter captured the Arnstein Cave in copper engravings. **Kleinstein:** The motif of the Kleinstein Cave was drawn by Ludwig Richter during his journey through Saxon Switzerland between 1816 and 1818, and was later published as a copper engraving. **Großer Winterberg:** As a prominent landmark of Saxon Switzerland, the Großer Winterberg early on became a favored destination for painters and nature enthusiasts. Historical depictions often show free, unwooded landscapes, an indication that due to early nature conservation efforts, the landscape has since recovered from previously extensive forestry. **Pravčická brána (Bohemian Switzerland):** The rock arch in the Czech part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is perfectly situated in the landscape, seeming tailor-made for painters. The magic of this natural wonder remains unbroken to this day. - Stage 6Caspar David Friedrich painting: Wanderer above the Sea of Fog **The historical Painters' Path** once concluded at the Prebischtor and the picturesque border town of Herrnskretschen (Hřensko), from where artists took a boat down the Elbe River back and made another stop at the Lilienstein or the Königstein Fortress. Today's Painters' Path also runs along the left side of the Elbe, where entirely different landscapes unfold for the hiker. **Krippen:** A detour to the Elbe is worthwhile here, as the view by the river is famously old. From the time of Caspar David Friedrich's three-month stay in Krippen, among other things, the drawing of the rock block that later became part of his famous oil painting "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" has been preserved. The mountain painter Irmgard Uhlig, incidentally, called the painting "Rock Landscape in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains" by this artist his "most expressive rock painting," representing "the pinnacle of romantic landscape depiction." - Stage 7Lütke, Ludwig Eduard - Königstein, black-and-white lithograph, 1842 **Fortress Königstein:** The impressive mountain fortress on the table mountain of the same name has always been a popular motif. Long before the onset of the Romantic era, the Saxon electors themselves ensured that their fortificational masterpiece was immortalized in images. Numerous drawings, graphics, and paintings of the fortress were created as a result - among others by Bernardo Bellotto (known as Canaletto) and Adrian Zingg. With its own collection and special exhibitions, Fortress Königstein also emerges as a venue for art. **Thürmsdorf:** Among the nearly forgotten vantage points is the one at the former mausoleum of the Biedermann family in Thürmsdorf, which is now the Malerweg Chapel. The bend in the Elbe with the table mountains was a popular motif 200 years ago. It speaks to the painters' perspective that they discovered the uniqueness of this inconspicuous spot. - Stage 8Canaletto (Bernardo Bellotto) Pirna Sonnenstein **Schloss Sonnenstein**: The castle, located approximately 70 meters on a rocky plateau, has its origins in the second half of the 10th century. The fantastic view of the city and the Elbe attracted painters to the old fortress complex. **Old Town of Pirna**: The city center has remained almost unchanged over the centuries. This can be confirmed by observing Canalettos' vedute. Canaletto's Painting Brought to Life ### **Tip 2** **Historical Canaletto Painting** Tip: Every year at the end of April, performing arts in Pirna meet historical visual arts! "The Market Place in Pirna" is the most famous of the eleven vedute by the royal Saxon court painter Bernardo Bellotto (Canaletto). This painting is recreated because the backdrop of Pirna's old town remains nearly unchanged. With actors, dogs, and horses, a small time travel journey to the year 1750 is successfully achieved. Robert Sterl House, Naundorf ### **Tip 3** **Robert Sterl House** The uniqueness of the Robert Sterl House, located on the 8th stage of the Painter's Path, lies in it being one of the few artist residences in Germany preserved in its original state! In the originally preserved home of the significant Impressionist, alongside a rotating selection of paintings from Sterl's extensive estate in special exhibitions, works by contemporary artists are also on display. - **Art back then** ----------------- Since the mid-18th century, Saxon Switzerland has been a popular destination for painters. Renowned artists have found inspiration here. Ludwig Richter View of a Fire, old colouration ### **From Adrian Zingg to Caspar David Friedrich and Robert Sterl** **These artists traveled through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.** The images presented here are available as collectible postcards for free from the hiker-friendly hosts on the Painter's Way and at the information centers along each stage. Johann Alexander Thiele, "Königstein Fortress", oil on canvas, 1744 Johann Alexander Thiele Thiele (\*March 26, 1685, in Erfurt, † May 22, 1752, in Dresden) was highly renowned in his time and is now unjustly largely forgotten. He served as court painter to Augustus III of Saxony in Dresden and created numerous views of Albertine Saxony, which include depictions of the Elbe Valley between Meissen, Dresden, and Pirna up to the Königstein Fortress. As a teacher, he established a rich tradition of Saxon landscape painting. The depicted painting of the Königstein Fortress, despite the typical Baroque abundance of topographical and figurative details, already shows some features of romantic landscape depiction. Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, "The Marketplace at Pirna", oil on canvas, 1753/54 Bernardo Bellotto (Canaletto) Canaletto (\* May 20, 1722, in Venice, † October 17, 1780, in Warsaw) was the pupil of his famous uncle Antonio Canal, whose name he adopted. He relocated from Italy to Munich in 1745, moved to Dresden in 1746/47, and went to Vienna in 1759/60. His vedute combine a picturesque atmosphere with precise detailing of high documentary value. In the Saxon Switzerland, he created a series of views of Pirna and the Königstein Fortress. The depicted view of the Pirna marketplace testifies to how accurately Bellotto captured the details. For this, he used a "camera obscura," a replica of which can be visited today at the tourist information center. Adrian Zingg, "Schandau Downstream on the Elbe", copper engraving, sepia, c. 1800 Adrian Zingg Adrian Zingg (\* April 15, 1734, in St. Gallen, † May 26, 1816, in Leipzig) received his artistic training first from his father, then from the Berlin veduta painter Alberli, and later in Paris. In 1766, he came to Dresden as an electoral court engraver and teacher at the newly founded Art Academy. During walking tours through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, he created numerous drawings, from which sepia sheets, copper engravings, and etchings were produced. Zingg is considered a pioneer of modern Dresden landscape painting. The sepia copper engraving depicted here shows how Zingg strives for topographical accuracy, while at the same time, exaggeratedly enhancing the characteristics of objects and landscape elements in a mannerist style. Caspar David Friedrich, "Rocky Landscape in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains", oil on canvas, 1822/23 Caspar David Friedrich Caspar David Friedrich (\* September 5, 1774, in Greifswald; † May 7, 1840, in Dresden) is considered the most significant painter of German Romanticism. The landscape of the Saxon Switzerland inspired him during his hikes to create symbol-laden landscape depictions. His most famous work, "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog," is regarded as the epitome of Romanticism. It was created in 1818 and can be admired today in the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Other works can be found in the Gallery of "New Masters" in Dresden. Johann Carl August Richter, "Kuhstall", copper engraving, original colouring, first half of the 19th century Johann Carl August Richter Johann Carl August Richter (\* March 29, 1785 in Dresden, † 1853 in Dresden) was a landscape and architectural draftsman, painter, etcher, engraver and lithographer. He found his subjects mainly in Saxony; most of his detailed vedutas show views of Dresden and its surroundings. He himself etched/engraved only the contour lines and provided instructions on how specialized assistants (most likely students at the Dresden Art Academy or Meissen porcelain painters) should execute a delicate watercolor to be applied over it. Due to the differences in this execution, each sheet ultimately became a unique piece. The colored views were primarily intended as souvenirs for foreigners. Ernst Ferdinand Oehme, "View of Saxon Switzerland", pencil and watercolour, 1840 Ernst Ferdinand Oehme Ernst Ferdinand Oehme (\* 1797 in Dresden, † 1855 in Dresden) is regarded as a significant painter of Late Romanticism and was a student of two outstanding artists of Romanticism, the Norwegian Johann Christian Clausen Dahl and Caspar David Friedrich. He shared a close friendship with Ludwig Richter. He created numerous poetic landscapes with charming light effects. Adrian Ludwig Richter, "Schmilka Mill", copper engraving, 1823 Adrian Ludwig Richter Adrian Ludwig Richter (\* September 28, 1803 in Dresden, † June 19, 1884 in Loschwitz) was one of Germany's most significant late Romantic artists. Even during his training with his father, his talent as a landscape illustrator became evident. After traveling through France and Italy, he taught for several years at the drawing school of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Meissen and began a teaching position at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts in 1836. He became widely popular mainly through his numerous illustration graphics, in which he affectionately depicts the life of ordinary people. The copper engraving shown here demonstrates Richter's talent for idyllic and detailed portrayals. Robert Sterl, "Quarrymen" 1990/10, Robert Sterl House, Naundorf/Struppen Robert Sterl Robert Sterl (\* June 23, 1867, in Großdobritz, † January 10, 1932, in Naundorf) is considered a significant German Impressionist. From 1906, he served as a professor at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, gaining fame for his landscapes, portraits, quarry worker, and conductor paintings. From 1919 until his death in 1932, he lived in a residential and studio house in Naundorf. Today, it is a fascinating museum where, among other things, the artist's estate is managed, curated, and partially displayed. In the painting "Quarry Worker," Sterl impressively highlights the effects of light and color in a dynamic composition. Contemporary artists on the Malerweg ------------------------------------ Even today, the Malerweg continues to inspire artists from the region. Artist Anne Kern in her studio in Wehlen **Stadt Wehlen Studio House** Many renowned painters have worked in and around Stadt Wehlen. Anne Kern is a distinguished representative of the current generation of artists based here. She creates and exhibits her sandstone-inspired pictorial worlds at her studio, “Schöne Aussicht 14”. In addition to individual viewings by appointment, she also offers outdoor painting and drawing courses. - Galeriewerkstatt Ansichtssache artist Heike Küchler **Gallery Workshop Ansichtssache Pirna** Gallery Workshop Pirna Painting, Graphics, and More: Heike Küchler and Claudia Pinkau have created a space for art and creativity with their gallery workshop "Ansichtssache" in Pirna. At Kirchplatz 5, next to the Marienkirche, they display works from the Malerweg and offer courses in landscape painting. Every Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM, and from April to December also on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, they invite interested individuals to their open workshop. - Artist Yvonne Brückner **Yvonne Brückner – Contemporary Painting in Gohrisch** Yvonne Brückner works with oils, acrylics and mixed media in her studio in Gohrisch. Her contemporary painting combines figurative clarity with abstract elements and invites close observation. Her works, which are available for purchase, are displayed at various exhibition venues, including the Gohrisch community centre and the YoYo climbing centre. At Lindenweg 214, she creates unique works in Saxon Switzerland depicting moments, people and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. During open studio sessions and creative activities such as oil painting courses, painting parties and outdoor painting sessions, visitors can observe Yvonne Brückner at work, engage in conversation with her or pursue their own artistic creativity. - Andrea Molière in her studio **Studio on the Malerweg - molière artdesign** Visit Andrea Molière at her studio in Lohmen, directly on the Malerweg, and let yourself be enchanted by her "individual art with heart." Enjoy the magnificent studio view of Lohmen Castle and the romantic surroundings of the Wesenitztal. Do you want to get creative yourself? In individually tailored individual or group courses, Andrea Molière invites you to her studio or will creatively engage with you along the Malerweg. - Hermann Krone Bastei photograph from 1853 **Photography on the Painters' Trail** In fact, the Painter's Path in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains could just as well be called the "Photographer's Path in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains." The incredible density of subjects makes the route a paradise for photographers. Peaks above a sea of fog, gnarled pines on rock faces, streams in wild and romantic gorges: what fascinates painters also entices photographers. Mighty table mountains at sunset, grass-green moss-covered stones, solitary rock needles before breathtaking panoramas: the picturesque weathered rock world of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a cornucopia of spectacular subjects. Photographing the Elbe Sandstone has tradition: the first photograph of the Elbe Sandstone is almost as old as photography itself! It was created in 1853 by the Dresden photography pioneer Hermann Krone on the Bastei, one of the most popular excursion destinations in Saxon Switzerland. A commemorative plaque at this very spot serves as a reminder. So much has happened in the more than 170 years since he first painstakingly captured images of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Heavy wooden cameras are no longer dragged on handcarts through the forest. What is needed for photography fits into a backpack or — for lower demands — even into a back pocket. What remains is the fascination of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains as a motif — as well as the photographer's task of using a trained eye and creativity to find precisely the one image from the infinite variety of possibilities. No camera, no matter how expensive, no software can relieve this task. And that is precisely what is fascinating about landscape photography. Photographers draw abundantly from it. Hundreds of thousands of images can be found on Instagram and Facebook. And year after year, new photo books and calendars of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains come to market. Waitzdorf Viewpoint Photo competition: Glimmers of hope along the Painters' Way To mark the 20th anniversary of the Painters' Way, a photo competition was held with two themes/categories: ‘The Painters' Way through the changing seasons’ and ‘Historic painters' views – past & present’. The competition invited participants to explore the landscape along the Painters' Way through photography, both in its seasonal diversity and in dialogue with historical artistic perspectives. The works selected by the jury will receive their awards as part of the 10th Globetrotter Hiking Days on 19 September 2026. This will be followed by an exhibition of the award-winning photographs at the Bad Schandau National Park Centre. The photo competition was open to all photography enthusiasts and hikers on the Painters' Way with a passion for photography. The winners of the photo competition have been announced. Discover the award-winning images here. - *Play video*Play external content Please accept all necessary cookies to watch this video.