Wilhelm II.

King of Württemberg

By StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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 by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für 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 "Wilhelm II." by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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.

Uniform tunic of the royal chamber junkie Konstantin Hermann Freiherr von Neurath by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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 "Wilhelm II." by Private Collection courtesy of Albion Art Jewellery Institute, TokioOriginal Source: Private Collection courtesy of Albion Art Jewellery Institute, Tokio

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.

Dr. Neumann in the Wilhelm II exhibition, StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart, From the collection of: StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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“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

Wilhelm II in cooperation with the Hauptstaaatsarchiv Stuttgart by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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? Cooperation exhibition by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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.

"Wilhelm II." Magazin by StadtPalais – Museum für StuttgartStadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

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.

Credits: Story

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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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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