Collection Several masterpieces of the courtly way of life were created in the Renaissance and Baroque periods
It was during the Renaissance and Baroque periods that Europe’s princely houses became enthusiastic collectors. Alongside the wonders of nature and science, the most sought-after collectibles were contemporary artworks, many of which reflected life at court. The Abegg-Stiftung offers a choice selection of such works representing the aristocratic preferences of the age. Especially impressive is its first-rate collection of silks from Italy and France that were used to make gowns or for the interior furnishings of palaces. Ottoman and Persian silks of the 16th and 17th centuries also form part of the collection.