Lichnovští na cestách: Cestovatelské a sběratelské aktivity rodu na přelomu 19. a 20. století

Description

In 2026, we are participating in the project Following the Footsteps of Noble Families with the subtitle - 'Nobility on the Road.' The theme highlights the travel activities of the aristocracy at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when journeys became not only a matter of prestige but also a significant source of knowledge and inspiration. A prominent figure of this period was Prince Karel Max Lichnovský, who undertook a journey around the world from 1898 to 1899. Inspired by his brother-in-law, Count Karl Lanckoroński-Brzezie, he set sail in December 1898 from Genoa through the Suez Canal to Ceylon and continued to China and Japan. From Yokohama, he crossed to the United States and returned to Europe in the spring of 1899 across the North American continent. This journey significantly influenced his collecting interests. From Beijing and Kyoto, he sent a total of 24 crates of antiques and artworks to Silesia, which subsequently enriched the interiors of the castles in Hradec nad Moravicí, Chuchelná, and his Berlin residence. Traveling was also a shared interest of his wife, Princess Mechtilda of Arco-Zinneberg. Together, they traveled through Italy and Spain and regularly stayed in Switzerland and Bavaria. Their pinnacle joint expedition was a trip to Egypt and Sudan in 1912. The princess documented her experiences in the travelogue Götter, Könige und Tiere in Ägypten (1912), which she illustrated herself. Visitors can view a collection of large-format reproductions of photographs from preserved historical albums from Prince Karel Max Lichnovský's journey around the world from 1898 to 1899, capturing China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Egypt. The albums were produced in the Berlin court bookbinding workshop W. Collin and represent a valuable visual diary of aristocratic travel. During the tour, we will highlight artifacts that the Lichnovský family brought back from their travels – ancient Egyptian ushabti and figurines of the god Osiris, stone obelisks with hieroglyphs, Japanese artistic and craft items, an authentic 18th-century samurai armor of the type ō-yoroi purchased in Kyoto by Prince Max, and a Japanese katana sword from 1900. An exceptional exhibit is also the model of the ceremonial vehicle Jamaboko from the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto. The project thus demonstrates how travel at the turn of the century became a means of cultural exchange, building extensive art collections that still constitute a significant part of the cultural heritage of the Lichnovský family. This exhibition will be part of the visitor tour 'Treasures of Hradec Castle' until the end of September, in accordance with the opening hours of this tour.

Highlights

• Explore the travel activities of the aristocracy in the late 19th century
• Featuring the journey of Prince Karel Max Lichnovský
• Includes a collection of large-format reproductions

General Information

The event focuses on the travel and collecting activities of the Lichnovský family during the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It highlights significant journeys, including Prince Karel Max Lichnovský's world tour and his wife's documented travels, showcasing their impact on art and culture.

Location

Městečko 2, 747 41 Hradec nad Moravicí, Czech Republic

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