Kunstbibliothek: About us

In this special library for art-historical and ethnographic literature as well as related fields of study, approximately 550,000 volumes are available to all who are interested; books can be viewed at the different locations upon request. The holdings profile is closely oriented on the collection profile of the museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. The holdings are by and large searchable online and include a host of openly accessible subject-specific electronic resources. First-class databanks relating to specific disciplines allow for further in-depth research.

lesende Frau sitzt zwischen zwei deckenhohen Bücherregalen — Art-historical literature on all artistic genres from antiquity to the present day is openly avail-able in the well-provided open stacks area, which features study areas for individuals and groups. Here, one can do research, study the material or simply leaf through books out of a love of art.

Schilder mit Begriffen, die Bücherreihen trennen — The systematic organization allows for a quick overview and direct access to the relevant stacks. Only the historical collection with publications dating to circa 1900 or earlier is reserved and requires a viewing request in the reading room.

Buchrücken mehrerer Bücher in einem Schrank — In addition to specialist literature, including rare publications and several unica, the rich and diverse holdings of artist monographs and exhibition catalogues form the core of the library.

Further libraries at the Residenzschloss

Numismatic library at the Münzkabinett

A specialized library within a specialized library: The comprehensive holdings on all numis-matic categories – coins, medals, paper money and more – as well as a significant historical collection, comprising works from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, provide the basis for studying and researching individual numismatic topics and for learning about more than 2600 years of coins, money and thus also art and cultural history.

Book Holdings in the Study Hall of the Kupferstich-Kabinett

Reference works, collection catalogues and artist monographs linking to the collection hold-ings of the Kupferstich-Kabinett serve as aids or research tools for visitors to the study hall who have come to view or study original artworks, which are presented upon request.