bavarikon4UCollecting - Researching - Preserving. The Neuburg Graßegger Family
Neuburg an der Donau can trace its long history back to prehistoric and early historic times, which is extensively documented with artefacts. The city experienced its greatest heyday as the seat of the Duchy of Palatinate-Neuburg, but other periods of the city's history were also rich in cultural achievements. This is evidenced not only by buildings visible today, but also by finds dating back to pre-Christian times. From relics dating from the late Hallstatt period, remains of Roman small forts and medieval documents to early modern armour, many material artefacts have been preserved. This is largely thanks to the commitment of historically and culturally aware citizens of Neuburg.
The remarkable history of the city and its surroundings was well known to the antiquarians of the late 18th and 19th centuries. They wanted to explore this past, collect objects and preserve them for future generations. This was implemented institutionally after the Colombella decree of the Bavarian King Ludwig I (1786-1868, reign: 1825-1848) of 1827 through the foundation of historical societies in each government district. In 1833, one of the first Bavarian associations was founded in Neuburg, which subsequently built up an important collection of specimens and artefacts on the history of the region. The central part and oldest inventory of the association's property is the so-called Graßegger Sammlung (Graßegger collection).
The exhibition focuses on the commitment of the Graßegger merchant family, which played a key role in this development, their interests and collecting activities, and also presents the highlights of the collection with an emphasis on outstanding objects from the Renaissance.
The collectors and their collections
Within the Graßegger family, the brothers Joseph Benedikt (1776-1849) and Johann Nepomuk (1780-1849) were particularly prominent as researchers and collectors. Through their historical awareness, their economic means in combination with favourable circumstances as well as their personal commitment, they were able to build up an important collection on the history, art, and cultural history of Neuburg.
Highlights of the Renaissance
The most magnificent objects in the Graßegger collection come from the holdings of the Palatinate-Neuburg line of the Wittelsbach dynasty. They testify to the sense of status and the stately representation of the Palatine brothers Ottheinrich (1502-1559, reigned from 1522) and Philipp (1503-1548, reigned from 1522), illustrate the courtly furnishings of the period and reflect the princely pleasures of the time.
