On 21. November, the 100th anniversary of the death of Emperor Franz Joseph I will be commemorated. Alongside various exhibitions which will highlight different aspects of his reign, numerous personal items of the emperor and his family will provide a glance into courtly life. As a unique international event, personal items and portraits of rulers will be up for sale at the Imperial Court Memorabilia auction at Dorotheum on 20. June 2016.
Emperor Franz Joseph I
As the longest ruling Habsburg, the legacy of Franz Joseph I’s 68 year-long reign extends beyond the history books. Through his personality he gave the Habsburg monarchy its own unique mysticism and he remains ann iconic symbol today.
Franz Joseph I was born as Archduke Franz Joseph Karl of Austria on 18. August 1830 in Schönbrunn. Franz Joseph was prepared for his future reign early on by means of a three-stage education which followed a centuries-old tradition.
Even in his infancy his parents Archduke Franz Karl and Princess Sophie Friederike of Bavaria focused on perfecting the model for his education, which was interrupted at the age of 18 when Franz Joseph ascended the throne. In the following 68 years Franz Joseph was made into a potent symbol of the multi-ethnic state, and with his marriage to Elisabeth, Duchess in Bavaria, he was thrust even further into the limelight.
The private emperor
The historical items being auctioned at the Imperial Court Memorabilia auction on 20. June afford us a private look into imperial life around Franz Joseph I and his family.
Memorabilia of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) ia particularly popular, including for example, her secret beauty tips and ankle boots but also presents from Archduchess Marie Valerie to her mother. In addition to this various personal items of the emperor will be auctioned including a cigar holder, a personal walking stick, a personal travel tea set, and Austrian honour rings. Anyone wanting to have an omni-present memento of Franz Joseph in life-size can take home the Emperor as a wax figure made by “Castans Panoptikum”.
“The eternal emperor”
Alongside countless portraits which portray Franz Joseph from his infancy until his death, the imperial family achieved huge media presence, particularly with the rise of photography. The timeless pictures of the Emperor and his family were created by court photographer Viktor Angerer and propagated through popular media like the picture postcard and the illustrated press.
In celebration of the 100 year anniversary of Franz Joseph’s death, the Austrian National Library is focusing on the “Eternal Kaiser” until 27th June 2016.
A comprehensive collection of paintings, photos, documents, books, letters and similar items are on display. The highlight of the exhibition in the state hall is the 10 metre long picture gallery with 86 portraits of the Emperor from 86 years of life which document the development of Franz Joseph from a child to an old man. Prominent in the collection are old picture postcards, photographs, and paintings, all portraying the timeless Franz Joseph. The Emperor’s essential trademark is there – the beard and whiskers which he wore in the same style for 66 years.
Imperial Court Memorabilia Auction
20th June 2016, 2pm
Palais Dorotheum Vienna
Preview 14th – 20th June 2016
Source: Austrian National Library
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