Augustus the Strong Elector of Saxony (1694 - 1733). Under his reign, Dresden evolved to become a world-famous cultural metropolis, a centre of baroque architecture, and a crucible of scientific exploration.

Apart from the sciences and the arts, | Augustus the Strong (elector of Saxony from 1694 to 1733) loved life's creature comforts. He was an ambitious man with lofty expectations, and it took nothing less than perfection to satisfy his often extravagant whims. Thus, under his auspices, Saxony evolved to become a crucible of perfection, as aptly demonstrated by the impressive baroque architecture of Dresden. Open-minded as it was, Saxony also attracted many artists for whom perfection was inextricably linked with creativity - among them Canaletto, the famous Italian painter perhaps best known for his meticulously detailed views of Venice. In Glashütte, a small town about 30 kilometres south of Dresden, Saxony's proverbial penchant for perfection lives on: In the masterpieces of "A. Lange & Söhne".