Sammlung Everyday Life Culture II

Textiles

Curtain (63 Kbytes)



The central motif of the curtain is the proclamation of the German Reich in Versailles' hall of mirrors on January 18, 1871. It is an adaptation from the 1885 version of the painting The Kaiser's Proclamation by the historical painter Anton von Werner (1843-1915), which later was given to Fürst Bismarck on the occasion of his 70th birthday by Kaiser Wilhelm I.

On the curtain, the "political message" of the painting is intensified. The motif was reduced to emphasize even more Prussia's striving for power and leadership in the German Reich. The Kaiser does not appear as "primus inter pares," but as a Prussian ruler in the Prussian uniform side by side with Crown Prince and Grand Duke.

The scene has also to be understood as a homage to the German chancellor. The way he stands, Bismarck seems to take up a lot of room. The raised helmets of the two generals von Moltke (r.) and von Hartmann (l.) frame him respectfully in front of the mirror arch. Was it not particularly Bismarck's adroit diplomatic negotiation policy that played a vital role in bringing about the event?

The motif gives evidence to the assumption that the curtain was produced in series for one of the many patriotic festivities or jubilees during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. It was possibly ordered for the 25th anniversary of the proclamation of the Kaiser in 1896. Probably, a reproduction of the painting served as a model for manufacturing the curtain.

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