Sculptural Dialogues in Pirna: From Baroque Roots to Contemporary Resonance

Author - Brian Hawkeswood.

Baroque Foundations in Stone

Pirna’s historic core still bears the imprint of Baroque artistry—not just in its buildings, but in its sculptural details. In the former fortress Festung Sonnenstein, the Skulpturensommer exhibition places historic reliefs and busts—like those by Johann Kretzschmar, a student of the Baroque master Balthasar Permoser—directly alongside modern sculptures  . For example, a tambourin player and a granite “König David” (2010) frame visitors’ entrance, echoing centuries-old craftsmanship  .


A Seasonal Symphony

Since 2013, curator Christiane Stoebe has organized an annual sculpture summer high above Pirna, pairing modern works with medieval bastion architecture  . In 2025, the theme “Resonanz” unites 27 German and Czech artists, including Jan Hendrych and Waldemar Grzimek  . Displayed are works such as Livia Kubach & Michael Kropp’s Paarstein (2018, sandstone) and Grzimek’s thoughtful bronze Sitzender Alter (1961)  .

Historic and Contemporary Confrontations

The Skulpturensommer staging is not merely juxtaposition—it’s a confrontation that extends perception. Pieces from Käthe Kollwitz (e.g., Pietà, 1937–38) and Renaissance-era replicas by Tilman Riemenschneider stand alongside bold contemporary contrast works—such as Christa Biederbick’s Mädchen auf rotem Tuch (1971–72), Agnes Lammert’s Mud (2016), and Adam Velíšek’s kinetic alley installation (2019)  .

Play and River-Themed Sculptures

Around the Steinladeplatz and riverside, playful public sculptures enrich the civic space. The medieval crane foundation is revived through ship-shaped seating and interactive pieces. You’ll also find whimsical figures like a horned child sculpture, symbolizing folklore woven into public life  .

The Elbe Allegory

A female figure riding a fish—an anthropomorphic tribute to the Elbe—evokes Pirna’s river heritage. While specific documentation is scarce, this motif fits local tradition: the town’s history of fishing and shipping is celebrated via mythic public art 

The Trogener Horse and Stone Ensemble


In areas like Dohna’s Gate, Christiane Stoebe introduced a stone livestock group—a horse, cart, and sheep—recalling historical trade regulations and the medieval right to stack goods  . Nearby, a pile of raw, postmodernist rocks forms a visual counterpart, encouraging reconnection through abstraction.


Educational and Curatorial Vision

Christiane Stoebe—honoured with Pirna’s Cultural Prize—has guided this sculptural renaissance  . She emphasizes dialogue and hands-on engagement, integrating educational stone-carving symposia for children. Under her vision, Pirna’s sandstone heritage and quarries become living classrooms  .

Conclusion

Pirna’s streets, parks, and bastions form a living lexicon of sculptures—a dialogue of eras. Baroque reliefs and busts stand steady against modern abstraction, playground pieces echo medieval legacies, and installations question perception. Whether honoring river life, rural customs, or human experience, the town’s sculptures are both monument and mirror—reflecting history, identity, and shared imagination.


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