Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection
The Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection was founded by the last Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and the Rhine. Shortly after taking office in 1892, he began to rearrange his private art possessions. The Grand Duke brought together the porcelain and other ceramic products in the Prinz-Georg-Palais in Darmstadt , which he opened to the public as a museum from 1908.
collection
Despite numerous new acquisitions, the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection has retained the character of a family inventory that is shaped by the preferences of the individual family members as well as the dynastic and diplomatic relationships of the Darmstadt Princely House. One focus of the collection is the faience and porcelain from the manufactories in Kelsterbach , which were supported by the Landgraves of Hessen-Darmstadt. Other important manufacturers are represented in the collection with Meißen, Nymphenburg, Höchst, Frankenthal, Vienna, Sèvres and St. Petersburg. These larger stocks are supplemented by individual pieces and ensembles from almost all known European manufacturers. The collection, which was put together more by chance than systematically, documents the history of courtly porcelain and faience art and provides an overview of the artistic development of European ceramics from its beginnings to the end of the 19th century.
Anniversary exhibition
The Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection in Darmstadt celebrated its 100th anniversary with the anniversary exhibition “Breakfast at Court” on November 16, 2008.
The focus of the exhibition was on breakfast dishes made in the most important European porcelain manufacturers. Together with the large selection of breakfast cups, they gave an overview of the variety of shapes and decorations in the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, the courtly breakfast ceremony and the cultural and historical significance of tea, coffee and chocolate formed another aspect of the exhibition.
Exhibition 250 years of Kelsterbach porcelain
From April 3 to June 26, 2011 the special exhibition 250 Years of Kelsterbach Porcelain took place in the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection. The manufacture of Landgrave Ludwig VIII of Hessen-Darmstadt takes place. At this exhibition, for the first time since the last and so far only exhibition in 1930, all Kelsterbach porcelain figures known in public and private collections were brought together in the Prinz-Georg-Palais. They used to decorate the princely table for dessert, the crowning highlight of the feast. Today, with their thematic variety, they give a vivid picture of the rapidly changing fashions of that time.
Exhibition On the way over hill and dale
From August 19 to November 4, 2012, the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection presented the exhibition On the way ... over hill and dale. Fragile things when traveling . The focus of this special show is the luggage that class-conscious travelers used to carry with them from the late 17th to the early 20th century.
My garden, my plaisir!
With the exhibition Mein Garten, mein Plaisir! Shown from July 13th to October 26th 2014 ! The world of the garden in porcelain reminded the museum of the Prinz-Georg-Garten, which Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hessen-Darmstadt came into possession of in 1764.
literature
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ (Red.): 250 years of the Prinz-Georg-Garten Darmstadt - Prinz-Georg-Palais and Großherzoglich-Hessische Porzellansammlung Darmstadt . Darmstadt 2014.
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ (Red.): On the way ... the Prince's wanderlust . Darmstadt 2012
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ: Kelsterbach porcelain. The holdings of the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection in Darmstadt . Stuttgart 2004
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ: Vogelmann & reliquis. Kelsterbach figures from international collections . Darmstadt 2011
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ: Frankenthal porcelain. The holdings of the Grand Ducal Hessian Porcelain Collection in Darmstadt . Stuttgart 2006
- Alexa-Beatrice Christ and Bettina John-Willeke: Breakfast at court. 100 years of princely porcelain . Stuttgart 2008
- Gudrun Illgen: Guide through the Grand Ducal Porcelain Collection in the Prinz-Georg-Palais . Darmstadt 1982
- Gudrun Illgen: Mopsiade. Pugs from three centuries . Darmstadt 1973
- Tamara Kudrjawzewa: The white gold of the tsars . Stuttgart 2000
- Karl creates: Kelsterbacher faiences and earthenware . Darmstadt 1987
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 52 ′ 46.5 " N , 8 ° 39 ′ 12.5" E