Part of a series that begun with that on «Sissi empress», held in June 2001 in Trieste, the exhibit goes through a fundamental historical period, widely illustrated by photography since its first experimental applications, and it presents a journey in which, through the lens of the great master photographers of the time, the political, cultural, artistic, social religious and economic climate which distinguished the Hapsburg Empire as one of the greatest powers in the political chessboard of 19th and early 20th century Europe.

Heir to the Sacred Roman Empire, the Hapsburg grouped over twenty peoples of varying ethnicity, ten different languages and seven religions, united in the figure of the Emperor. The exhibition proposes itself as the opportunity to find the roots of modern culture in that hectic and fertile age during which Vienna, at the beginning of the century, was the cradle of a cultural revolution that would upset the traditional conception of Man, bringing to the light its contradictions and questioning its certainties.

Photographic and historical research has found previously unseen period images, which permit documentation of the places, the figures, the wars, the direct news of the events that characterized the Hapsburg Century and in particular the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph, who rose to power in 1848, until 1916.

Over 200 images and objects of the time which reveal that mingling of family and public affairs which fed the legend of the Hapsburg dynasty, consigning to today's memory countless pieces of evidence from books, essays, theatre 'pieces', operettas and films.

There couldn't be a better frame for this event than Monza's Villa Reale, built in 1777 by will of Maria Theresa of Austria. The exhibition's journey, through the halls of the «noble floor», returns to the visitor a vivid image of the magnificence of the Villa Reale. For the occasion some rooms that are normally not accessible are open to the public.

«Il Secolo Asburgico 1848-1916, momenti e immagini di un Impero»
Where: Villa Reale di Monza (Monza -Mi)
When: until 2nd June 2002
Opening times: every day 10 am - 8 pm; Friday-Sunday 10 am -11 pm
Tickets: 4/8 Euro
Alinari Catalogue special edition 31 Euro.
Free entrance for children under 6. Special concessions for schools and groups.
Info
Istituto Iridis tel +39 02 655 25 36
Mail
Fratelli Alinari, Rosa Manno tel +39 055 239 520
Mail

May.2002