An extraordinary chapter of European art history is currently being brought to life in the magnificent rooms of the New Residence in Bamberg. The special exhibition "Courtly Encounters", a cooperation between the museums of the city of Bamberg and the Bavarian Palace Administration, has been extended until June 21, 2026 due to its great success. Precious porcelain from the Ludwig Bamberg Collection enters into an impressive dialog with the ornate interiors of the prince-bishop's apartment - a sensual experience between baroque splendour and fine ceramic elegance.

The Ludwig Bamberg Collection, an important permanent loan from the Peter and Irene Ludwig Foundation, is one of the highlights of the city's museums. Its actual home, the historic Old Town Hall, is currently being extensively renovated - an occasion to restage the outstanding pieces in an interim exhibition. The fact that they can now be seen in the magnificent ambience of the New Residence proves to be an ideal stroke of luck: here the exquisite porcelain from Meissen and Frankenthal meets the prince-bishops' living rooms of the 18th century, where they themselves were once part of the courtly art of living.

Chinese-style chess pieces, Meissen, around 1740, porcelain © Museen der Stadt Bamberg

The prince-bishop's apartment was furnished from 1703 for Lothar Franz von Schönborn, the art-loving prince-bishop of Bamberg and Mainz. The rooms form a fascinating panorama of Baroque interior design - from Johann Jakob Vogel's animated stucco to the cheerful Régence decorations and the playful Rococo to Materno Bossi's classicist stucco work. This artistic diversity reflects the changing eras and provides the perfect stage for the "Courtly Encounters", which almost become a living historical experience in this setting.

Solitaire, Frankenthal, around 1765, porcelain © Museen der Stadt Bamberg

The exhibition sheds light on porcelain as a status symbol and cultural object that became the epitome of luxury in the 18th century. Whether delicate figurines, finely painted tableware or decorative ceremonial vases - each object tells of the pursuit of beauty, representation and technical perfection. At the same time, the "China enthusiasm" of the time becomes visible, which gave Europe a veritable porcelain passion and turned entire manufactories such as Meissen or Frankenthal into artistic laboratories of modernity.
However, "Courtly Encounters" is far more than just an art-historical exhibition. It creates links between past and present, between courtly splendor and museum reflection. The presentation allows visitors to immerse themselves in an era in which the interplay of art, architecture and lifestyle merged into a unique, holistic aesthetic.
The exhibition can be viewed as part of a guided tour of the Prince-Bishop's Apartment and is included in the regular admission price. An experience that beautifully combines the magic of Baroque art and the sophistication of European porcelain art.
Extended until June 21, 2026!
www.residenz-bamberg.de