THE WINTER PALACE Press Kit
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THE WINTER PALACE Press kit Himmelpfortgasse 8 1010 Vienna Winter Palace © Belvedere, Vienna THE WINTER PALACE A Place of International Encounter Originally built as a lavish stately residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, then acquired in the eighteenth century by Empress Maria Theresa before being used for the Court Treasury and entre is a centre of art and The transformation of the staterooms into a museum has made it possible for the Belvedere to Agnes Husslein-Arco, the director of the Belvedere, points out. Building on the historical legacy and far-reaching impact of the cosmopolitan prince, a further between the town and the garden palace the Winter Palace and the Belvedere. They have now been reunited after more than 260 years. Following the first exhibition, dedicated to the prince on the occasion of his 350th birthday, the main aim is to create a dialogue between cultural heritage and contemporary art an approach that has been realized with great success at some of the wo developed with direct reference to the site and the result is inspiring new artworks created in he Belvedere. homes in the best neighbourhoods close to the Imperial Castle, new arrivals needed a good deal of luck and a lot of money in order to be able to settle in the district. The Winter Palace social rise. Having originally arrived at the Habsburg court in 1683 as a penniless refugee, he died in 1736 the owner of several palaces. It is the incredible success story of a self-made man, ce, the prince had he also bought the adjacent plot and in 1696 commissioned the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach to build a seven-bay palace, which, in two later stages, was extended by five bays on either side. A building featuring an impressive exterior was thus created, whose actual richness, however, was only to unfold in subsequent years in its interior. Silk wall coverings, precious stones used for console tables, chandeliers, ceiling paintings and frescoes by famous Italian masters, English silver, Chinese porcelain, and innumerable other treasures created an ambience whose splendour can hardly be imagined today. ce was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa in 1752 and It is nevertheless a special jewel, which, after comprehensive restoration, is made accessible to the public for the first time: in spite of the reconstruction, a crucial share of the immovable furnishings has survived. A major part, especially the ceiling frescoes in the Audience Chamber and in the State Bedroom, the Gold Cabinet, and the superb grotesque decoration on gold ground, is still apt to fascinate of the collection Baroque, emphasizes. PRINCE EUGENE OF SAVOY General, Philosopher, Art Connoisseur After a meteoric rise to power and a dazzling career as a general, Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663 1736), Italian by descent and French by birth, became one of the most influential a diplomat and advisor to emperors Leopold I, Joseph I, and Charles VI, he travelled through Europe from one theatre of war to the next, playing a decisive role in determining the future of the House of Habsburg. Prince Eugene, the offspring of an Italian noble family, grew up in France and later lived in the region that is modern-day Austria, so that he can be regarded as a truly international or even supranational personality. Travels and military campaigns took him to many countries, and he was always receptive to these different cultures. Diplomats and many other illustrious personalities socialized at his palaces, which resulted in a vibrant clearly reflect these intentions: they encompass paintings by Dutch, Italian, and French masters, precious manuscripts and books, oriental fabrics, Chinese porcelain, and animals and plants from several continents. The prince was able to acquire this wide array of precious objects with the help of an international network of agents and friends, who were well informed about his interests. BIOGRAPHY Prince Eugene of Savoy 1663 Prince Eugene Franz of Savoy-Carignan is born in Paris on 18 October, as the fifth of seven children to Eugene Moritz of Savoy-Carignan and Olympia Mancini. 1673 His father dies after a short illness under circumstances that were never fully clarified. 1678 Ordained with minor orders by the Papal Nuncio in Turin. 1683 ero invites 1688 Named field marshal-lieutenant. Prince Eugene also becomes lay abbot of two abbeys in Savoy, which provides him with a good source of income but also the obligation to remain celibate. 1693 Named imperial field marshal. 1694/95 Buys the first buildings on Himmelpfortgasse. In addition to the intense building activities that now commence, Prince Eugene continues to build up major collections of paintings, books, engravings as well as plants and a zoo. 1697 Named commander-in-chief of the imperial army in Hungary (5 July). At the Battle of Zenta on 11 September, Prince Eugene has his first success as a commander. His fame as field marshal is subsequently consolidated by a number of further successful military operations. Buys a large plot of land on Rennweg, which is gradually expanded as he acquires more property. 1701 The Battle of Carpi on 9 July marks the first larger military operation in the War of the Spanish Succession. On 1 September, the Battle of Chiari follows. 1702 Battle of Cremona (1 February) as well as the Battle of Luzzara (15 August). Begins building the palace in Ráckeve on the Csepel Island (Danube) near Budapest. 1703 Named president of the Imperial War Council. 1704 Battle of Höchstädt (13 August) resulting in a coalition with the English and subsequently a friendship between their commander, the Duke of Marlborough, and Prince Eugene. Terracing works carried out on 1705 Battle of Cassano (16 August), a French victory following a bloody battle. 1706 Relief of Turin (7 September) 1708 Battle of Oudenaarde (11 July) as well as the siege of Lille (10 August to 22 October, citadel falls on 10 December). Construction begins to extend the palace on Himmelpfortgasse by five bays to the east (Gallery Wing). 1709 Siege of Tournai (4 28 July, citadel falls on 3 September) and Battle of Malplaquet (11 September). 1712 Construction of the Lower Belvedere begins. 1714 With the signing of the Treaty of Rastatt (6 March) the War of the Spanish Succession ends. 1716 Named governor of the Austrian Netherlands (until 1724). Battle of Peterwardein (5 August) during the Ottoman-Venetian War. 1717 Battle of Belgrade with a surprise attack launched by Prince Eugene in the night of 16 August. Completion of the Lower Belvedere and construction of the Upper Belvedere begins. 1718 Signing the Treaty of Passarowitz (21 July) not only terminates the Austro-Ottoman War but also puts an end to the enormous threat of the Ottoman Empire to Austrian security. 1724 Prince Eugene is appointed vicar-general of Austrian dominions in Italy. 1723 Completion of the Upper Belvedere, extension of the palace on Himmelpfortgasse by five bays to the west (Library Wing). 1725 Prince Eugene acquires Schloss Hof palace and expands it to create his tusculum rurale. 1731 From this year on, the ten volumes of Belvedere engravings based on drawings by Salomon Kleiner appear. As a supplementary volume the so-called Menagerie work is published to document the animals as well as plants in the Belvedere garden. 1734 The 70-year-old field marshal is appointed commander of the Rhine army in the War of Polish Secession at the insistence of Emperor Charles VI. 1736 Prince Eugene dies at his palace on Himmelpfortgasse in the night of 21 April. The lace. THE STATEROOMS IN THE WINTER PALACE Antechamber Between 1724 and 1729, the Art of War tapestries from the workshop of Jodocus de Vos were Blue Room State Bedroom room. The green velvet wall covering was interspersed with wide borders embroidered with grotesque motifs. This most spacious stateroom also contained a magnificent bed, which served the purpose of ceremony rather than sleeping. The central ceiling fresco by Louis Dorigny features the Marriage of Hercules and Hebe and is surrounded by illusionistic architecture painted by Marcantonio Chiarini. Red Room This stateroom, once used as an Audience Chamber, was adorned with red velvet wall coverings. One of its eye-catching features was a hot-air stove representing Hercules Fighting Ladon, the dragon guarding the Garden of the Hesperides (today at Schönbrunn Palace). The ceiling fresco by Andrea Lanzani depicts Hercules Ascending to Olympus and has survived intact. Yellow Room A long hall stretching over five window bays, it displayed paintings by artists such as Anthony van Dyck, Peter Paul Rubens, and Guido Reni, as well as two lacquer cabinets. When the remodelling of the palace began in 1752, the room was divided and a false ceiling installed. This still conceals a ceiling fresco of Boreas Abducting Orithyia by Louis Dorigny. Conference Room The Conference Room, furnished with a fireplace and a tile stove, still betrays its original function. The walls were covered by tapestries featuring grotesque motifs from the Brussels- based studio of Jodocus de Vos. It is unclear whether the ceiling painting by Paul Strudel, The Victory of Justice over the Unjust Ruler, formed part of the original decoration. Gold Cabinet According to the pe Asian porcelain was presented. Parts of the decoration were transferred to the Lower decorated with specially created paintings by Franz Caspar Sambach and Franz Zogelmann. Library Rooms Altogether three library rooms, including the so-called Hall of Battle Paintings, highlighting Emperor Charles VI acquired his books, manuscripts, and prints for the Court Library. Chapel The small chapel is an addition dating from the reconstruction started in 1752. The wall paintings are particularly interesting, as they seem to be by the hand of a yet unidentified hapel used to be installed in the rear section of the State Bedroom, but has not survived.