Beijing Exhibition丨Empress Elisabeth and the Art of Her Time

This October in Beijing, the sunshine is just right. It's my first time in the capital, and the weather is perfect. Does it know I've come all this way for Empress Elisabeth? On November 17, 2024, the first day of the exhibition on the second floor of the China Millennium Monument, there weren't many people early in the morning. Stepping into the exhibition hall, with its purple and grayish-green walls, the atmosphere was quiet and mysterious. Nearly 300 items are on display, provided by the Hungarian National Museum, the Hungarian Royal Palace, and private collectors. There are several portrait paintings of Empress Elisabeth, her clothing, personal belongings, furniture, and precious original works by famous 19th-century painters, all showcasing the court style and artistic flair of the 19th century! I paused in front of a portrait of Elisabeth in a black dress. Elegant and noble, she carried a touch of sadness. After the loss of her child, Elisabeth only wore black, no longer possessing the bright smile seen in the movies. Was there still love between her and her mustachioed husband, the King? Who should we believe, fairy tales or reality? The middle-aged Elisabeth, with her tragic beauty, captured my heart…