Liechtenstein The Princely Collections

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest European states, a principality situated between Austria and Switzerland in the Upper Rhine Valley. The nation is less than three hundred years old, but the ruling family, whose name it bears, traces its lineage back to the twelfth century. For successive generations, members of the Princely House of Liechtenstein have been devoted art collectors. With a high degree of appreciation of artistic achievement, they have pursued a centuries-long family tradition of acquiring not only great paintings and sculpture but also rare firearms, fine porcelain, and other works of art. The result of this tradition is a collection of masterpieces that in its depth and breadth reflects more than four hundred years of European history and ranks among the world's greatest private collections. This publication accompanies an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art that marked the first time the masterpieces from this private collection were put on public display. The rich and varied array of paintings, sculpture, and other works included in this exhibition not only represents the paradigm of a great European princely collection, but also has the added distinction of being the collection of the only surviving monarchy of the Holy Roman Empire. -- Metropolitan Museum of Art website.

This in depth look at one of the world's most storied private art collections celebrates five centuries of grand artistic patronage. The Princely Collections, Liechtenstein gained momentum during the early 17th century when Prince Karl I commissioned several works, including Adriaen de Fries's life-sized bronze of Christ in Distress. From that point on, the artistic holdings of the principality grew and were shaped by each successive monarch. Over the centuries, the collections expanded to include works by masters such as da Vinci, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Rubens, and van Dyck. They now comprise some 1,500 paintings and sculptures, dating from the early Renaissance to the 19th century. The collections also contain important works of graphic art, porcelain, tapestries, and furniture that once adorned the Liechtenstein castles and palaces. This sumptuously illustrated volume explores the historical evolution of the Princely Collections, tracing the works' acquisition as well as their occasional sale and relocation to museums around the world. Nearly one hundred of the collections' current and former highlights by approximately 60 artists are presented in this book, which allows readers to fully appreciate the breadth and depth of these storied private collections. Published with the American Federation of Arts

With the opening of the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna, an incomparable private collection of artworks from six centuries returns to its original home. Masterful paintings, sculptures, and furniture are displayed in the Liechtenstein Palace, famous for its Baroque architecture and sumptuous gardens. A visit to the museum is a journey through time from the Baroque to the Biedermeier eras.

The Principality of Liechtenstein in the heart of Europe is famous for its medieval castles and charming Alpine landscapes and villages. On the occasion of its 300th anniversary, the Albertina in Vienna is hosting a comprehensive exhibition. The works presented here illustrate the remarkable spectrum of Liechtenstein's collection policy. The unique holdings of the Princely Collections are thus presented for the first time in such detail in this two-volume publication.