Liechtenstein to London for royal collection
Treasures including masterpieces by Rubens and Van Dyck are coming to London from one of the most spectacular private collections in the world – which the Princes of Liechtenstein managed to hold on to for centuries while wars tore Europe apart.
The works include Rubens' tender portrait of his five-year-old pink-cheeked daughter, Clara Serena, painted in 1616 and owned by the Liechtenstein family for almost 300 years. It is among scores of paintings by the Flemish master in the collection, the greatest private collection of his work in the world.
The Princes of Liechtenstein have been buying and commissioning art, antiques, and fabulous furniture since the 14th century, and unlike most of the continent's noble families, keeping it. In the second world war the family retreated – with the art – from palaces in Vienna and Czechoslovakia to their castle at Vaduz, the capital of their tiny principality.
Five years ago the family restored one of their former palace homes in Vienna as a museum: 15 works by Rubens hang on its walls. They are now planning to open a second palace museum, but meanwhile have sent a major exhibition to St Petersburg, and will send another to the Royal Academy from September 2010...
Read entire article at Guardian (UK)
The works include Rubens' tender portrait of his five-year-old pink-cheeked daughter, Clara Serena, painted in 1616 and owned by the Liechtenstein family for almost 300 years. It is among scores of paintings by the Flemish master in the collection, the greatest private collection of his work in the world.
The Princes of Liechtenstein have been buying and commissioning art, antiques, and fabulous furniture since the 14th century, and unlike most of the continent's noble families, keeping it. In the second world war the family retreated – with the art – from palaces in Vienna and Czechoslovakia to their castle at Vaduz, the capital of their tiny principality.
Five years ago the family restored one of their former palace homes in Vienna as a museum: 15 works by Rubens hang on its walls. They are now planning to open a second palace museum, but meanwhile have sent a major exhibition to St Petersburg, and will send another to the Royal Academy from September 2010...