Baroque Treasures - Schloßhof

PRINCE EUGENE’S APARTMENT
In 1775 Prince Eugene’s original apartment was subjected to radical alterations. The old
fixtures – the headpieces above the doors, for instance – were replaced by ones reflecting
the new decorative forms of Neoclassicism. The original headpieces, panelling, and wain -
scoting had been wood-brown with partial gilding, but now the wood was hidden from
view with a white ground, likewise decoratively gilded. However, not everything was
changed: certain very important fixtures such as the fireplaces and the relief panels
above them were left intact, as were the stuccoed ceilings by Alberto Camesina and
Santino Bussi.
The inventory of Schloss Hof drawn up only a few days after Prince Eugene’s death in
1736 offers a revealing picture of the sumptuousness of the interiors and of the wealth of
luxury items with which Schloss Hof was furnished.
Prince Eugene’s private apartment consisted of the following rooms: the Antechamber
(“Ante Camer”), the Audience Chamber (“Audienz Zimmer”), the Bedchamber (“Schlaff
Zimmer”), the Cabinet Room (“Cabinet”), and the Dressing Room (“Garderobe”).
Immediately before the apartment were rooms with social functions: the Anteroom
(“Vorzimmer”), the Coffee Room (“Caffee Zimmer”), and the Dining Room (the “Taffel
Stuben”). In addition to this apartment Prince Eugene had a state apartment
(“Paradeappartement”) situated in the south wing. Further rooms were available to
accommodate guests.
The furniture in Prince Eugene’s apartment
Most of Prince Eugene’s furniture (console tables, seating furniture, fireplace screens, and
wood trestles) was made of walnut. A very large number of the tables and chairs derive
their particular appeal from the members that make up their massive frames: arched or
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