Masterclass: From Prague to Dresden

From Prague to Dresden: Precious Stones, Jewels and Know-How from Saxony and Bohemia

A unique program, led by L’ÉCOLE’s team of teachers and researchers including:

- The discovery of a garnet cutting workshop and center
- An encounter with a mythical stone: the Dresden Green Diamond
- Privileged encounters with museum directors, curators and restorers of the Jewels of Saxony and Bohemia throughout your trip

During four days, you will be accompanied and guided by an Art Historian and a Gemologist, that will give you a combined analysis on the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the different savoir-faires.

Josef Ladislav Němec, Necklace, before 1910, MDA Prague

Day 1 - Thursday, September 29  Prague

Flight departing from Paris
Lunch 
2 - 3 pm: Loreto Sanctuary
Most important Marian pilgrimage site in Bohemia, the Loreto Sanctuary houses a rich sacred art treasure, the most famous of which is the “Prague Sun”, a monstrance encrusted with 6 222 diamonds.
4 :30pm – 5 :30pm: Once you have settled in the hotel, our Art Historian will guide you through his favorite places in Prague.
5 :30 pm: Exclusive surprise surrounding Alfons Mucha, major artist of the Art Nouveau style
8pm: Dinner at the “Dancing House”, emblematic place of Prague
 

It is in 1996 that architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry built this deconstructivist-style building, formed by two towers that seem to be dancing together. Named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), this architecture, more commonly known as “Dancing House”, embodies one of the artistic facets of contemporary Prague.

Night at the Mozart Hotel (5*)
Located on the banks of the Vltava river, the Mozart Hotel is situated in the former residence of a music-loving count. This baroque palace, part of the Czech cultural heritage, has maintained a decoration from the Mozart's time.

Photo : Josef Ladislav Němec, Necklace, before 1910, Gold, Bohemian garnets, chalcedony, glass, Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague

Evening view of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Jakub Hałun

Day 2 - Friday, September 30 Discovering the Bohemian Garnet

10am - 12:30pm: Immersion in the universe of a garnet workshop and cutting center: exchanges with the craftsmen who will help you discover all the stages of the creation of a piece, from the cutting of the gemstones to the final jewel
1pm : Lunch
3 - 4 pm: Free time to visit Prague at your leisure
16h - 18h : “Garnet, Art & Science”, with our two Art Historian and Gemologist Experts

Dinner with a spectacular view of Charles bridge and Prague Castle
Night at the Mozart Hotel (5*)

Photo : Evening view of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Jakub Hałun

Brooch, 14th century, Bohemia, MDA Prague

Day 3 - Saturday, October 1  Prague and Dresden

10am - 12pm:  Exceptional opening of the museum's storeroom and restoration workshops, especially for the Masterclass. The chief curator and the conservator of the museum collections will discuss the history of Central European jewelry and the art of restoration with the participants.

Observation of some of the jewels of the upcoming exhibition "The Jewel and the Body".

12:00 pm: Departure for Dresden – We will tell you about the history of the prince-electors of Saxony
1pm : Lunch
4:30 pm : Once you have settled in the hotel, our Art Historian will guide you through his favorite Dresden locations
7pm - 10pm: Night at the Dresden Opera : “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini

Night at the TOWNHOUSE Hotel (4*)

Photo : Brooch, 14th century, Bohemia, MDA Prague

Day 4 - Sunday, October 2 Dresden : Discovering the Treasures and Jewels of the Green Vault Museum

9am - 12pm: Founded in 1723, the Green Vault is a “Treasure Museum”, unique in Europe for the richness and grandeur of its collections.
Before opening hours, Dirk Syndram, former director and curator of the Green Vault will take you on a private tour to the encounter of a mythical stone: the Dresden Green Diamond.
He will then take you on a journey to the heart of the museums’ works of art and numerous jewels of the historic Green Vault.

11am - 12pm: “The prince-electors of Saxony and their treasures”, as told by the ex-director and curator of the Green Vault and our gemology expert.
1pm: Lunch 

Return to Prague and flight to Paris

Photo : Dresden Green Diamond © Green Vault, Dresden State Art Collections, Photo Carlo Boettger

Practical Information

Price : 3 800€ including VAT
The price includes: flights, hotel nights (Hotel Mozart 5* and Hotel TOWNHOUSE 4*), transfers between Prague and Dresden, meals, entrance fees to cultural sites, guided tours and activities mentioned in the program.
Number of participants: 15 people maximum
Flights operated by Air France 
Thursday, September 29: Paris-Prague: 09h20am-11h00am
Sunday, October 2: Prague-Paris: 06:05pm-07:55pm

In the event of a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic, travelers will be subject to the health rules and measures in effect in each country.

For more information, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs) publishes travel advice sheets on its website. You will find the latest recommendations on security, formalities and health.