08/12/2024
Anna Constantia Countess of Cosel (*1680, † 1765) was the most famous mistress and later public enemy No. 1 of August the Strong.
What a woman she must have been.
This is her story:
Anna Constantia was unusually well-educated for the time, spoke several languages and was said to have had a passion for hunting — it was also said that she was beautiful, impetuous and stubborn, that she smoked a pipe and was very good with guns.
The Countess of Cosel was the center of the Saxon court, and the beautiful Taschenbergpalais in the heart of Dresden was built in her honor. Unfortunately her story took a tragic turn.
After Anna Constantia became increasingly involved in politics at court and tried to influence the king‘s decisions, she made more and more enemies and finally August also turned away from her. When she was supposed to be replaced by a Polish mistress for political reasons, she didn't want to accept this fate without a fight.
After the Countess painfully tried to enforce a written marriage promise, that August had given her and which legitimized her status and their children, she finally disappeared without charge or trial into lifelong exile in which she lived until her death.
The Countess von Cosel is still the landlady of the magnificent Taschenbergpalais Dresden today. Her spirit and her story are omnipresent.
We were allowed to resurrect Anna Constantia right there, in her former, beautifully restored chambers and to paint a modern version of her.
Thank you Ronald for trusting us with this special project.
VON COSEL
Shot for in Dresden.
Starring , styling , hair and make-up , assistance by
