In the very first of its kind, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden has been brought into Second Life as Dresden Gallery. The Dresden Gallery is the first real life museum to be created in Second Life in an exact 1:1 scale.

It opened in-world to the public in May 2007 and until now has had nearly 40,000 visitors. Comprising of the buildings, foyer, 56 halls and cabinets and all 750 masterpieces, Dresden in Second Life is a wonderful visit. Not only can you obtain notecards with information on all the artwork here, you can listen to audio talks of certain works (brought to you by the famous Acoustiguide) but you can also visit the museum 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dresden features many classical artists such as Titian, Canaletto and Rembrandt. This Neo-Renaissance style building is the famous home for Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus and Raphael’s Sistine Madonna.

On May 10^th 2008 Dresden (real life & Second Life) opened an exhibition - “Canaletto – Views from the Canal Grande in Venice” In line with restoration by J. Paul Getty Trust (Los Angeles) two Canaletto paintings are being displayed at Dresden for the first time. The exhibition focuses on the Canal Grande, a Venetian waterway which was the subject of Canaletto’s work circa 1725. Included in this exhibition is information regarding camera obscura, which was a favourite technique of artists at this time. A total of 26 pieces make up this exhibition ending in late July.

Also it should be noted that a RL conference that takes place in Dresden, Germany with the theme “life in the digital world” will also be shown within the Dresden Sims, today..

If you have an interest in art but find you can’t find the time to actually go to a gallery, I really do suggest a trip to Dresden. I first went to Dresden many months ago and often find I head back, it’s a wonderful way to loose a few hours and be educated all at the same time!