This is the lady advertising the current exhibition at the Hotel Caumont.
Her image is swinging in the wind along the cours Mirabeau, raising the question, as posed in the exhibition, is she a model of modesty clutching her little veil or is she an insolent minx?
The other question maybe is whether the exhibition is worth a visit? My answer is a definite
Yes! The paintings are well worth the visit – some excellent portraits – but the eye opener for me was the world of the Princes of Liechtenstein.
So, in half an hour, from never having heard of them, I learned so much.
- It is Europe’s only absolute monarchy: they can hire and fire the government and over-rule parliamentary decisions.
- the principality occupies half a valley between Switzerland and Austria yet Prince Hans Adam is richer than the Queen of England.
- their women were the last in Europe to get the vote – 1984
- they have a fortress and more palaces around Vienna than I could count
- they have the only Raphael in private hands.
Which brings me back to the art!
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- Raphael: Portrait d’un Homme 1502-4
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- Rembrandt: L’Amour a la Bulle de Savon 1634
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- Vigee-Lebrun: Princesse Karoline von Liechtenstein, 1793
Some lovely pictures in a well-displayed exhibition. This new gallery is such a plus for Aix.
Daily 10-18:00 at the Hotel Caumont until 20th March.
Great collection I saw years ago in Evian. But when you realise all the wealth of the Prince comes from hiding stolen money for the global rich & corrupt…
Oh dear…didn’t know that!