The Retzschgut since 1649

Oil painting: the Retzschgut with its red roof by the vineyard, the Spitzhaus at the top left, a field path in front — The Retzschgut with the Spitzhaus, oil painting

Moritz Retzsch

The house owes its name to the painter and etcher Moritz Retzsch (1779–1857), a professor at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. He took over the estate in 1819 as part of his mother's inheritance; her family, the Piscenius family, had owned it since 1744. From 1828 he lived here all year round and tended the vineyard.

Retzsch became famous above all for his outline etchings for Goethe's “Faust” and for Schiller's ballads. The lane that leads up to the house from the south is named after him today.

Watercolour: an old half-timbered house with a weather vane behind a wooden gate, the Spitzhaus in the background — Historic view with the Spitzhaus, watercolour dated 24 September 1890

How the house grew

1649
The weather vane on the tower-like porch bears this date. It is regarded as the year the house was built, originally as a single-storey building with a wine cellar.
early 18th century
The house is given a second storey, extended and gains an annex with an outside staircase.
1744
The estate passes to the Piscenius family, the family of Moritz Retzsch's mother.
1813
Extension to two full storeys, including the porch.
1819
Moritz Retzsch takes over the estate; from 1828 he lives here all year round.
1837
A pergola walk is added on the north and west sides, and the gable roof becomes a hipped roof.
1857
Moritz Retzsch dies. His wife Christel runs the estate until 1866.
1893
The Weinhold family takes over the house.
1979
The house comes under municipal administration.
1997
The house is returned to the Seifert family.
2002–2005
Extensive restoration, during which the half-timbering is uncovered again. In 2009 the restoration receives the building owners' award of the town of Radebeul.