The exhibition “Horses and Horsing Around the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia” will be on display free of charge in the ground-floor premises of the Rundāle Palace Museum from the 6th of July until February of next year. The topic of the exhibition, similarly to the topic of the recent Garden Festival, was chosen on purpose. The Network of European Royal Residences, of which the Rundāle Palace Museum is also part, developed a joint project regarding a unifying and also extensive and multi-layered topic “Horses and Horsing around European Courts” in honour of the equestrian competition of the 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles. During the project, various events are taking place at several European royal residences throughout the year.
The story of horses in the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (1562–1795) is one of hard work and magnificence. In day-to-day life, the subsistence of manor houses, working the land, the growth of cities, and getting from one place to another was supported by horse power. However, it is the story of thoroughbred horse breeding during the time of Ernst Johann von Biron (1690–1772) that has been documented and better preserved to the present day. Achievements in horse breeding attested to the status and prosperity of their owners, and the majestic horses graced court ceremonies, entertainments, and horse riding and were a valuable gift to friends and benefactors. Although horses were also important during the rule of the House of Kettler (1562–1737), the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was renowned among neighbouring courts for its wonderful horse-breeding because of the personal interest and passion of Duke Ernst Johann von Biron.
In order to provide thoroughbred horses for the court’s needs, there were more than 10 stud farms, stables with manèges for riding horses, and even a riding school in Mitau during the era of the Duchy. Horses were present at every manor house, and the biggest manors even had several stables.
The current semicircular stables of Rundāle Palace were built during the second construction period (1764–1768) upon cooperation between Francesco Rastrelli and Severin Jensen. The stable complex consisted of symmetrical stable buildings intended for 66 horses.
The six spatial exhibition stands provide various interesting facts regarding the stables and stud farms, the number of employees working in the grand stables of the Duke in Mitau, the types of stables during the reign of the Dukes Ernst Johann and Peter, the horse breeds belonging to the Duke, the rearing and breeding traditions of the time, the role of horses in various court ceremonies and pastimes. The exhibition stands include large-format depictions corresponding to the topic presented.
The exhibition “Horses and Horsing Around the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia” has been created as a travelling exhibition which may become an excellent source for additional interesting impressions and information in another museum of Latvia.
The exhibition was curated by the Director of the Rundāle Palace Museum Dr. art. Laura Lūse, the source research and also translation from German was performed by the historian of the Rundāle Palace Museum Gundega Plūduma, author of the text – Laura Bitiniece, graphic design, exhibition design and architecture – artist Tatjana Raičiņeca and artist of the Rundāle Palace Museum Līga Beļakiene, project manager – head of the Department of Communication and Education Work Dace Lāže. The technical presentation of the exhibition was ensured by the specialists of the museum and “Dekorāciju darbnīca” Ltd.
This exhibition was organised with the support of
Assoc. prof., Mg. agr. Guntis Rozītis
Herder-Institut, Marburg, DE
National Archives of Latvia, Latvian State Historical Archive
National History Museum of Latvia
National Library of Latvia
Academic Library of the University of Latvia
Library of the University of Latvia
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, FR
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, SE
National Gallery, London, UK
National Trust Images, Trowbridge, UK
Hampel Fine Art Auctions, München, DE
Vereinigte Kurländische Stiftungen der Kurländischen Ritterschaft, DE