The Apartments of Prince-Elector Charles Albert of Bavaria around 1740 and Their Ceremonial Use at Court
Heiko Graf
This article examines the layout, decoration and usages of state chambers Residenz in Munich, period when its chief occupant, Elector Charles Albert was elevated to rank Holy Roman Emperor 1742. It situates these developments within cultural artistic exchanges eighteenth century between houses Bourbon, Habsburg Wittelsbach, position often taken by latter straddle differences other two families. VII is shown distance himself from conventions imperial court chambers, aligning more closely with French practice being less guarded about his privacy. Not everything pro-Versailles, however, new Bavarian emperor careful maintain German traditions, most notably use mirrors decorative schemes, key concept Reiche Zimmer, part outshine, not emulate, Habsburgs Vienna.
The Court Historian