What do Queen Elizabeth II., the actor Michael Douglas and a museum in the German town of Neuwied have in common? Too difficult? Well, the answer is: They all own pieces of furniture by the 18th century cabinet-makers Abraham and David Roentgen.
In 1750 Abraham Roentgen started a small workshop in Neuwied on the River Rhine which his son David was later to develop into the most successful German manufacturing workshop of high quality-furniture in the 18th century – fit even for the empress Catherine the Great of Russia.
In fact, among the courts of Europe it became fashionable to own pieces of furniture by David Roentgen and, if you had the means, to fit out whole rooms in the "Roentgen style".
The French Revolution started the decline of the manufacture of Roentgen furniture; marking the rise of new political powers in Europe and the end of luxurious 18th-century baroque joi-de-vivre.
Furniture by Abraham and David Roentgen is now scattered in museums around the world, from the USA to Russia; the largest collection being owned by the Eremitage in St. Petersburg.
To mark the bi-centenary of David Roentgen's death, his home town of Neuwied is playing host to what is probably the world's largest exhibition of furniture by both father and son. Museums and private collections from all over Germany, the USA and France have sent their treasures to Neuwied on the River Rhine, back to their place of origin.
More than 100 pieces ranging from the English-influenced playing tables by Abraham Roentgen to the most exquisite clocks in neo-classical style by David Roentgen more than 100 pieces are currently on display in three separate locations in the town.
The exhibition runs from 17 June to 7 October 2007 and is open every day except Mondays.
For more details please contact the Roentgen-Museum Neuwied
Telephone: +49-2631-803 379