Prince Eugen: General and Art Enthusiast

Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736) was born in France of Italian descent. Following his meteoric rise to power and his brilliant career as a military commander he became one of the most influential men in Austria. He left an indelible mark on both the country and its artistic and cultural heritage. As a diplomat and confidant of Emperors Leopold I, Josef I, and Karl VI, Prince Eugene of Savoy went from one battlefield to the other all over Europe, playing a pivotal role in securing the future of the House of Habsburg.

Throughout his life Prince Eugene also dedicated himself to assembling an extensive collection of paintings, etchings, incunabula, illuminated manuscripts and books to be displayed in his Viennese palace. From various battlefields Prince Eugene corresponded with artists and artisans, landscape architects, master builders and the leading minds of his day. His acquisitions rewrote Austrian artistic and cultural history, even resulting in the forced transfer of works from the collection of French King Louis XIV to Vienna. The prince's interest in natural science, guided by his acquaintance with the philosopher and scientist Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, is reflected in his large collection of exotic plants and animals.

The exposition will include works from his art collection, primarily from Turin's Galleria Sabauda and the Biblioteca Eugeniana, presented against the backdrop of the Belvedere's original furnishings and décor. This will allow visitors to appreciate the opulent furnishings at the palace where Prince Eugene, as president of the Imperial War Council and a member of the Secret State Conference, received guests including the Ottoman ambassador.

Prince Eugene - Military Commander, Philosopher and Art Lover

Feb 11-Jun 6, 2010
Lower Belvedere and Orangery,
Rennweg 6, 3rd District Vienna
www.belvedere.at