Architecture and Art
The urban planning function
The first plans for today's Maximilianstrasse were submitted in 1851 by the architect Friedrich Bürklein (1813-1872). In the course of the "beautification of Munich", a boulevard and a center of urban communication were to be created, which at the same time were intended as a connection between the city and the Isar and Haidhausen, located on the other side of the river. The street, forum and bridge were to culminate in a picturesque final object, an acropolis, on the Isar Heights - the later Maximilianeum.
Art in the Maximilianeum
At the beginning, the foundation consisted of 30 oil paintings and 24 marble busts, in addition to the building, its furnishings and monetary capital. The money was completely eaten up by the inflation of the 1920s and only 17 of the 30 paintings survived the 2nd World War. The paintings of the "Historical Gallery" were created from 1852 under the direction of Leo von Klenze (1784-1864) and show the main moments of world history. The sculptors Peter Schöpf (1804-1875) and Johann Halbig (1814-1882), with their busts made of Carrara marble, juxtapose them with the plastic illustration of benefactors, inventors, sages, literary figures, statesmen and generals. The artistic design is complemented by pictures on the facade of the Maximilianeum and in the interior rooms. The guiding idea of this art program is twofold: beauty and truth. Behind this is the educational ideal of the time: art serves not only the "education of art" but also the "education of the people". It conveys history - the "educator of the human race".
The architecture - "Maximilian style"
Maximilian II intended to give his new boulevard a uniform appearance and prescribed to his architects the Maximilian style now named after him: Pointed arched arcades and predominant verticality from the Anglo-Saxon neo-Gothic style were the basis on which the best elements of all historical art epochs were to be combined with modern building techniques. The Maximilianeum, as the last building, is both the completion and the decline of this style: shortly before his death, the king ordered the façade to be fitted with round arches, despite the fact that construction work was already underway.
The historical gallery (17 historical paintings)
The 24 marble busts
The Maximilianeum Foundation owns 24 marble busts, 12 of which are on permanent loan to the Landtag.
The other following 12 busts are in the rooms of the foundation:
1. Alexander the Great (*356, †323).
On his campaign, the disciple of Aristotle and Macedonian king spread Greek culture as far as India.
2. Cyrus (†529)
established the Persian world empire. Under his rule, the Jews were freed from Babylonian captivity.
3. Solon (*about 640, †about 561).
The Greek statesman and poet introduced the first democratic elements into the constitution of Athens.
4. Francis of Assisi (*1181/82, †1226)
renounced his paternal inheritance to live a Christian life in poverty. He founded the Franciscan Order.
5. Turenne (*1611, †1675).
The French general marshal distinguished himself by methodical and at the same time bold warfare, which was still considered exemplary by Napoleon.
6. Hannibal (*247/46, †183).
Due to his great tactical skill, the Carthaginian general became one of the greatest external threats to Republican Rome.
7. Gustav Adolf (*1594, †1632).
Concerned for the future of German Protestantism, the Swedish king intervened in the Thirty Years' War.
8. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (*1646, †1716).
The development of the infinitesimal calculus is only one of many significant achievements of the polymath. The "Prussian Academy" emerged from the "Society of Sciences" he founded in 1700.
9. Gregory the Great (*about 540, †604)
centralized the papal administration. The term "Gregorianism" testifies to his great influence on church music.
10. Prince Eugene of Savoy (*1663, †1736).
The Austrian general gained fame especially for his victories in the Turkish War. As an imperial advisor, he demonstrated political acumen.
11. Vincent de Paul (*1581, †1660)
spent most of his life in Paris, where he devoted himself to the pastoral care of the poor. Numerous charitable institutions can be traced back to him.
12. Confucius (*551, †479 B.C.).
Even though the philosopher did not succeed in bringing about social change during his lifetime, his moral and state philosophy continues to influence not only Chinese culture to this day.
f.l.t.r.: Prince Eugene of Savoy, Gustav Adolf, Turenne, Alexander the Great