Fascination with Ancient Greece
The Austrian Empress Elisabeth (‘Sisi’, 1837-1898) and the German Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) – these two imperial rulers had more than their blue blood in common. Both were fascinated with classical antiquity, and they shared a deep love for the isle of Corfu.
Sisi was unhappy at court in Vienna. Ancient Greece offered a romantic dream world into which she could escape. Around 1890, she ordered the construction of a palace on Corfu, the Achilleion. Designed entirely in a classical style, it was decorated with sculptures and murals of Greek gods and myths. A life-sized statue of the tragic hero Achilles graced the palace garden. Unfortunately, Sisi did not have long to enjoy all this; in 1898, she was assassinated by an anarchist in Geneva.
In 1907, Sisi’s daughter sold the Achilleion to the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. He too was fascinated with the ancient world and felt deep admiration for the great heroes of Greek mythology. Wilhelm replaced Sisi’s statue with another one of Achilles, but in a powerful, triumphant pose. Each spring, he and his imperial household would spend time on Corfu, and he would personally take charge of the archaeological excavation of a large temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis.
Visitors to the exhibition will feel almost as if they are in Greece. The high walls are made of reproductions of idyllic watercolour views of Corfu and the Achilleion. The displays feature objets d’art, and furnishings that once decorated Sisi’s palaces, as well as photographs, volumes of poetry, a travel guide, and a selection from her personal archaeological collection. Wilhelm’s love of archaeology will be illustrated by his private collection of ancient Greek coins, fragments of enormous sculptures from the Temple of Artemis at Corfu, and photographs that Wilhelm took during the excavations.
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