From October 2, 2021 to March 27, 2022, the major special exhibition “Wilhelm II – King of Württemberg" is on show at the StadtPalais – Museum for Stuttgart.
Centenary of the king’s death
Marking the centenary of the death of King Wilhelm II of Württemberg, in October 2021 StadtPalais – Museum for Stuttgart takes a fresh look at Württemberg’s last monarch.
Monarchy
Against the backdrop of sweeping changes in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the monarchy, its position, function, and powers were the subject of critical scrutiny.
Exhibits
For its exhibition, the StadtPalais has collected a large number of precious and hitherto unseen objects on loan from private owners and public collections.
With some 400 exhibits, the centenary exhibition recaps the milestones spanning the life of King Wilhelm II from his happy childhood in the New Palace, his university days in Tübingen and Göttingen, to the heir to the throne’s army career and his reign as King of Württemberg followed by demotion to dukedom on the dissolution of the monarchy in 1918.
Parure of Marie, Princess of Württemberg
Probably France, 1805–1830
A parure is a set of jewellery consisting of individual pieces in matching design and materials. A parure was one of the most important status symbols of a noblewoman.
“Wilhelm II had developed his own understanding of his office as king in the democratised and parliamentary state of Württemberg. Although to all intents and purposes Württemberg’s highest representative, a sort of crowned president, he respected the constitution and the work of the parliament.”
– Dr. Edith Neumann, Deputy Director of the StadtPalais and curator of the exhibition at the StadtPalais
Cooperation
The exhibition was mounted in cooperation with the State Archives of Baden-Württemberg.
In the exhibition “Who was the real Wilhelm as his friends knew him?” mounted by the State Archives, we gain an unexpectedly candid insight into Wilhelm himself, far removed from the staged courtly figure.
What was Wilhelm II really like?
In private letters, he talks about the constraints to which a monarch is subject, unfulfilled love, war and abdication. His writing is also infused with a passion for the hunt, racing and culture.
Side events
A comprehensive programme of side events provides visitors with a detailed insight into the history of Wilhelm II – both analogue and digital.
For more information, please refer to the website of the StadtPalais – Museum for Stuttgart.
To the exhibition:
Wilhelm II – King of Württemberg
Cooperation programm:
State Archives of Baden-Württemberg , Exhibition
Württemberg State Museum
The Württemberg crown is on display in Württemberg State Museum.
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