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The Royal Palace in Gödöllő (central Hungary) has purchased a previously unknown painting depicting Queen Elisabeth commonly known as Sisi, painted by György Raab in 1867, announced Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation, and Tamás Ujváry, Executive Director of the Royal Palace in Gödöllő, on Tuesday.
At a press conference held at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, it was stated that the painting and two other works of art were purchased at the Kaiserhaus auction of the Dorotheum auction house in Vienna on June 12.
Balázs Hankó emphasized that the staff of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő are constantly looking for ways to beautify and expand this marvel of Hungarian Baroque architecture. Recalling the connection between the palace and Queen Elisabeth, he noted that the building became the residence of Franz Joseph and Queen Elizabeth during the Compromise of 1867.
In modern terms, it was placed under the administration of the reigning monarch,”
he added.
He said that it was due to this historical connection that 356,107 people visited the castle last year.
Hankó Balázs, Minister for Culture and Innovation (left), and Tamás Ujváry, Executive Director of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, present a previously unknown painting of Queen Elisabeth alongside two lithographs at a press conference held at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
Tamás Ujváry pointed out that the painting depicts Queen Elisabeth in the dress she wore at her coronation in Hungary. More than 70,000 euros were paid for the work of art, and its acquisition cost a total of 30 million forints (75,000 euros), including all other expenses. He added that they are continuously researching the history and origin of the painting, as very little is known about it and it was previously unknown to museums and art historians.
He also mentioned that in addition to the painting, the Royal Palace in Gödöllő had purchased two lithographs at the auction in Vienna. One of them depicts Archduchess Sophie: the 1850 work is unique in that the archduchess is wearing a bracelet on her right arm with a picture of her son, Franz Joseph.The other lithograph depicts Queen Elisabeth’s favorite cousin, Hildegard, who was the most beloved of the princesses.
Ujváry added that over the past year, the palace’s collection has grown by more than 500 works of art, not only through purchases but also through donations.
Via MTI; Featured photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor