About 100 original works of art, including paintings, goldsmiths' objects, porcelains, photos, and clothing items, can be seen at the exhibition "The Wittelsbachs - Sisi's Family" that opened on Friday at the Hungarian National Museum.
The exhibition aims to cover almost a millennium of the history of Hungarian and Bavarian relations, which took place between the famous stitches made on the coronation robes of the blessed Gizella and Queen Elizabeth, said Gergely Gulyás, the minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, at the opening of the exhibition in Budapest .
Of this, the Wittelsbach family had seven centuries, during which time they ruled Bavaria, during which they gave Europe two emperors, sixteen kings and thirty-seven electors - he added, emphasizing: it is therefore self-evident that several of them appeared in Hungarian history and played an important, defining role in it. The exhibition, which can be visited until February 20, 2022, presents an important part of our history through the medium of art, he pointed out.
He reminded: Hungary gave shelter to the Wittelsbach family in Sárvár during Nazi Germany, but Hungary also does not forget all the good things they did for us during the difficult moments of our history.
The minister emphasized: it is important for Europe to know the ties that bind nations to each other, because if we let go of the past, we are actually letting go of each other. This is especially important today, when the path chosen in the present, decisions in favor of different social development and values, do not bring us closer, but distance us.
History goes beyond itself, it plays an important role in preserving our Hungarian and European identity and our community with it - Gergely Gulyás emphasized, adding: Hungary will protect its freedom and interests, but it is always ready to, in accordance with its historical experience and the most important achievements of Hungarian history, mutual work together with those who are open to this along the lines of respect and common interests.
László Simon László, the director general of the Hungarian National Museum, pointed out that the relevance of the exhibition is due to the fact that a hundred years ago, the last Bavarian king, III. Louis.
He said: 88 original objects will be presented at the exhibition, among which those interested can see for the first time one of the museum's most important purchases this year, the fragment of the coronation cup, which was made by a craftsman during the repairs carried out before the coronation of Franz Joseph I and his wife, Queen Elizabeth.
At the opening, Gábor Tordai-Lejkó, Consul General of Hungary, explained the history of the Wittelsbach family.
In addition to Queen Elizabeth's hat, head tie, petticoat, and personal jewelry, contemporary photographs can also be viewed at the temporary exhibition. Visitors can get an insight into the life of the young Elizabeth in Bavaria, the hated mother-in-law, Archduchess Zsófia and a lovely aunt, Queen Karolina Augusta, who is highly regarded by the Hungarians, also appear in the exhibition. In addition to selected items from domestic collections, works of art from Munich can also be seen, two paintings were hung from the wall of the palace of a Duke of Wittelsbach.
The objects selected from the museum's rich collections were supplemented with the help of public collections and private collectors in such a way that visitors can get a spectacular picture of the 1000-year history of Bavarian-Hungarian relations, especially the Wittelsbach family.
Source: magyarhirlap.hu
Featured image: MTI/Zsolt Szigetváry
