 |
| One of the Historical Rulers of Bavaria, 1842 The Royal Collection |
This gilt bronze figure of an idealized portrait of a Bavarian ruler is one of a set collected by Prince Albert in 1842. They are identical miniatures of an original series of colossal sculptures which lined the throne room at the Residenz in Munich. Albert commissioned sculptor Ludwig Schwanthaler to produce miniatures of the enormous originals so that he might have them always close at hand. Sadly, the majority of the huge original figures were destroyed during World War II. However, Prince Albert’s set remains so that we might imagine what they looked like.
1 comment:
Prince Albert's interest/commission here is not surprising. Prince Albert was grateful for his German heritage and looked to the example of his forebears for inspiration on being a good ruler. One of his particular heroes was an ancestor who (in 1500s or 1600s) introduced compulsory education to his principality - for both men and women, all ranks of society. An incredibly modern approach, in an era when even some nobles could not read.
Post a Comment