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Queen Luise of Prussia was a fashion-conscious woman, praised for her beauty. She knew how to highly effectively spotlight her physical advantages with graceful Empire dresses, based on the forms of antiquity. Luise's surviving garments are being shown in an exhibition for the first time. Her noble day clothes, splendid evening gowns and elegant riding habits, as well as silk hats, jewelry and accessories, reveal the scope of the royal wardrobe and project a fashion panorama of the era around 1800.

The presentation at Paretz Palace – the former summer residence of the royal family, built in 1797 ‐ concludes the comprehensive series of exhibitions dedicated to Luise by the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG) in this 2010 anniversary year.

Fashion, Jewelry and Accessories at the Prussian Court around 1800

Whether through intermediaries in Paris or as a result of reading international fashion magazines – the Prussian monarch was very well-informed about current fashion trends. A rich allowance was available to her for purchases. However, Luise's role as a popular "beauty queen" is not documented in the exhibition by original clothing and accessories alone. Numerous sources, which have been assessed for this show for the first time, also provide evidence of Luise's great love of fashion.

For example, her dowry inventory of 1793, the 1810 inventory of the estate, the "Schatullbuch" (strongbox account) of her spa trip to Bad Pyrmont and invoices from French luxury dealers have all been preserved. Handwritten lists – bound to inventory books and carried out in a meticulous "Prussian manner" – itemize all of the queen's clothes, evening gowns, furs, chemises and hats.

The exhibition catalogue is devoted to fashion as a phenomenon, which, because of its fleeting nature, is an excellent cultural and historical timekeeper. Fashion allows changes in taste to be identified – and consequently reflects the spirit of an epoch. Here, a brilliant fashion spectrum of the age is developed where Neoclassicism and the Empire Style meet for a tête-à-tête.

Please note: The historical gowns and accessories are extremely delicate and require special protection. Bright light is a strain on the precious materials. Therefore, we trust visitors to understand that the exhibition space may only be dimly illuminated for conservation reasons.

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Catalogue (in German)
"Luise. Die Kleider der Königin."
ca. 278 Seiten mit ca. 340 Farbabbildungen, 22 x 27 cm,
Hirmer Verlag / Herausgeber: SPSG,
29,90 Euro in der Ausstellung
34,90 Euro im Handel
ISBN: 978-3-7774-2381-4
www.museumsshop-im-schloss.de

Museumshops – Where your purchase becomes a donation
In our museum shops at Paretz Palace, you will find a wide selection of gifts pertaining to "Luise".

MISS PREUSSEN 2010.
THREE EXHIBITIONS FOR THE QUEEN.

LUISE. THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF THE QUEEN.
March 6 – May 30, 2010, Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace

LUISE. THE QUEEN'S ISLAND WORLD.
May 1 – October 31, 2010, Berlin, Peacock Island