Family Castellane

 

The French aristocratic Castellane family is known for its many members working as diplomats and in the French military. In 1857, through the marriage of Marie de Castellane to Antoni Wilhelm Radziwiłł, the two families became connected. The initiator of this marriage was Marie’s grandmother, Dorothea de Talleyrand-Perigord, Duchess of Żagań and Courland, who raised Marie. The wedding took place in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Żagań. During the ceremony, Franz Liszt played the organ for the bride and groom, performing Veni Creator Spiritus. Marie Dorothea de Castellane Radziwiłł was involved in political activities and charity work. She ran political salons, which enjoyed a sizeable popularity among the intellectuals at the time. She initiated the reconstruction of Nesvizh Castle. Princess Marie Dorothea Radziwiłł passed away on 10 July 1915 in Klenica.

 

1. Document portfolio with the coats of arms of the de Castellane and Radziwiłł families. Vienna, 1910.

2. Michel-Ange Castellane miniature (1703 - 1782). France, 2nd half of the 18th century.

3. Miniatures of the couple: Marie Dorothea Radziwiłł née de Castellane (1840 - 1915) and Antoni Wilhelm Radziwiłł (1833-1904), ca. 19th century. - early 20th century

4. Ecriture of Marie Dorothea de Castellane Radziwiłł (1840 - 1915), early 20th century

5. Enamelled box with the Radziwiłł eagle and date 19 February 1910. Vienna, 1910.

6. Toiletries tin and box with the monogram of Antoni Wilhelm Radziwiłł (1833-1904) on the lid, 2nd half of the 19th century.

7. Glass container, 1st half of the 19th century.

 

Above the display case:

Portrait of Adam Stanisław Sapieha (1828-1903) by Andrzej Grabowski, 1878

 

In 1852, Adam Stanisław Sapieha married Jadwiga née Sanguszko, while keeping up a long-standing affair with her sister. During the January Uprising, he actively promoted the Polish cause in the West. In 1864, he served as Commissioner of the National Government in France and England. Prince Adam Stanisław Sapieha was included by Jan Matejko in his Battle of Grunwald - he is depicted as Vytautas.