Artistically outstanding portraits of Lorenz I Bordogna of Taxis from the circle of the Lombardian painter Giovanni Battista Moroni (c.1525 – 1578) as well as the bust of Maria Anna Bordogna of Taxis and Valnigra by Johann Baptist of Lampi (1751 – 1830), a portrait painter celebrated at the princely courts of early Classicism, such as Dresden, Vienna, and St. Petersburg.
The collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum at Ambras Castle feature ten postmaster portraits of the Taxis-Bordogna family, generously presented as a gift by Carlos Tasso de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança. The portraits show members of the family from the period of the early sixteenth to the late eighteenth century.
The Taxis family name is inextricably linked with the history of the post, transportation and communication sector. In the eighteenth century, the family was even regarded as the ‘inventor of the postal system’. Originally from Bergamo, the Taxis first served the popes and the Republic of Venice as couriers and messengers, and established a novel, efficient transportation network.
As the family was spread all across Europe, they had the opportunity to develop a company operating throughout the continent. From the second half of the sixteenth century, the Bordogna of Taxis branch – created from marriage – was headquartered in Bressanone, Bolzano, and Trento. Thanks to their economic and organisational skills, the family was close to Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol, founder of the Ambras collections, and actively participated in the court life of the Renaissance prince in Innsbruck. We will come across the Bordogna of Taxis branch, for example, during the mystical-boisterous ritual in honour of the ancient god of wine in the Bacchus Grotto or during the celebrations of 1580, hosted by Ferdinand II, on the occasion of the wedding of his Kämmerer (chamberlain) Johann Lipsteinsky of Kolowrat.
The presentation of portraits of the Bordogna of Taxis family is complemented by culturally and historically relevant loans.
In line with objects from the collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, they offer a vivid presentation of the development and history of the post and transportation sector in Tyrol.
The permanent exhibition is on display in the oldest part of the Upper Castle, the ‘Palas’ in the north wing of Ambras Castle.
Ambras Castle Innsbruck
Schlossstraße 20
6020 Innsbruck
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed in november
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