Life at the Innsbruck Court

After the tragic death of Mary of Burgundy, Emperor Maximilian I married Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan in 1493. The marriage came with an opulent dowry of 400,000 florins, and brought Italian lifestyle to Innsbruck, notably in terms of customs, traditions, fashion, and hunting. The extensive bridal inventory, for instance, provides interesting insights. For the first time, a replica of Bianca Maria’s wedding jewellery will be exhibited.

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Bianca Maria Sforza is depicted with her bridal jewellery: she wears a bejewelled headdress and her long hair is braided and wound with sumptuous pearls and silk. She also wears precious jewellery. She was painted in profile by the Milan court painter.