Splendid Felicitations

Birthday gifts for Prince Regent Luitpold

On the occasion of Prince Regent Luitpold’s 200th birthday (1821-1912), the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum is celebrating one of the most popular representatives of the Bavarian royal family to this day. The focus of the exhibition is on the congratulatory addresses presented to him on his milestone birthdays in 1891, 1901 and 1911, fascinating works of high-ranking craftsmanship in large format. These works, most of which were previously completely unknown, brilliantly combine a wide variety of artistic techniques from goldsmithing and leather carving to embroidery and watercolour painting. The stylistic spectrum ranges from different varieties of historicism to art nouveau.
The selection represents a wide variety of artistic techniques and the stylistic spectrum between historicism and art nouveau and sheds light on the vibrant cultural development of the period known as the Prinzregentenzeit, the era of the Prince Regent named after the jubilarian. Paintings, sculptures, handicrafts and historical photographs lend a special vividness to Luitpold's imposing personality and his splendid birthday celebrations. Original memorabilia – such as the jacket the monarch is said to have worn at his death – add emotional accents.