Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, university
The Dresden Academy of Fine Arts is a public university for art in Saxony located across three sites along the Elbe River, mainly on Brühl's Terrace, Güntzstrasse, and Pfotenhauerstrasse. The main building on the terrace features a distinctive glass dome that locals call the 'Lemon Squeezer' for its shape, and houses studios for traditional and modern art forms including restoration and stage design.
The Academy was founded in 1764 by the Saxon prince-elector and is one of the oldest art schools in the German-speaking world, though it built on a drawing and painting school established in 1680. It attracted artists from across Europe, including Friedrich and Richter, and later figures like Oskar Kokoschka and Otto Dix shaped it into a center for modern art movements in the twentieth century.
The Academy displays the names of master artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Dürer on its exterior walls. This practice connects students visibly to the heritage they are joining and reflects how the school honors the lineage of artistic tradition in its daily life.
The Academy is located near the Frauenkirche and easily accessible while exploring the old town, situated close to main squares and historic streets. The school regularly hosts open days and events where interested visitors can view studios, meet students and teachers, and see exhibitions of current student work.
The main building on Brühl's Terrace features a glass dome that locals fondly call the 'Lemon Squeezer' for its distinctive shape, a detail often overlooked by visitors but which captures the character of the place. The nickname is unfamiliar to many visitors, though it is well established among residents and shows the playful local approach to naming prominent architectural features.
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