Einseitige Medaille König Ludwigs I. zwischen seinen Künstlern

Staatliche Münzsammlung München

Description

Obverse: King Louis I stands elevated between four artists.

King Louis I succeeded his father as king of Bavaria in 1825. He was a great connoisseur and patron of the arts. The relocation of Ludwig Maximilian University from Landshut to Munich in 1826, as well as the planned expansion of Munich, would become a success in the long term. One of his most significant economic enterprises was probably the foundation of the Süddeutscher Zollverein (Southern German Customs and Dues Union) in 1829, which created a larger economic area free from domestic customs duties. This area was significantly expanded with the foundation of the Deutscher Zollverein (German Customs Union) in 1833. On the domestic front, the last years of his government, until his abdication in 1848, were beset by major problems. Therefore, many legislative projects failed because of the opposition of the Landtag (state parliament). In 1844, due to an increase in the price of beer an uprising in Munich was expected to take place. In this case, King Louis I had to give in and lower the price of beer once more. His resignation, however, was caused by riots against his relationship with the dancer Lola Montez and her lavish lifestyle. After his abdication, Louis retired and died in 1868. This one-sided medal by the artist Ferdinand von Miller shows Louis as patron of the artists. According to Ingrid Weber’s interpretation, the king stands between Leo von Klenze, the architect of Munich, and the sculptors Ludwig Schwanthaler, Johann Martin von Wagner and Christian Rauch. This medal is one of the most beautiful and impressive depictions of King Louis I as patron.