Hall of Mirrors in the appartement of the Margravine in the upper floor: Costume pictures and mirrors on the wall.
The costume pictures that show the Baden Margrave couple Sibylla Augusta and Ludwig Wilhelm and their two sons in various costumes, bear witness to the "masquerades" once very popular at European royal courts. The delight in costumes and an entertaining form of self-portrayal came together at these costume festivities.
Of the once over 70 masquerade pictures, 56 originals have been preserved. They are painted very fine and true to detail with watercolors on parchment and show the royal family as "Turks", "Romans", "Moors", "Tartars", "Slaves" and in many other costumes. Nearly all costume pictures have black or red-lacquered wooden frames, decorated with figures, insects, birds and landscapes in gold. The painter, who had a masterly command of detailed patterns, fabrics, lace and fine borders, has remained unknown up until today.
Yet there are far more interesting questions. Were the costume portraits created especially for the Mirror Cabinet? They are already praised in 1729 in the "Neuesten Reise durch Teutschland" (Latest Journey through Germany) by Johann Georg Keyssler as an attraction in the Favorite Mirror Cabinet. The inventory of 1762 also suggests this, "On the doors and the entire room are 70 masquerades, portraits with lacquered frames...“.
The fate of the costume portraits in our age: In 1945 part of the paintings were lost. Ten of these stolen costume portraits were offered at auction in 2000. Using old photos from the 1930's it could be shown that they belonged in Favorite Palace, where they can be viewed today.
|
|
|
|