From 19 April to 10 June 2012, the BELvue Museum in Brussels is pleased to host the exhibition Charlotte from Belgium, years of happiness.

The exhibition is devoted to Princess Charlotte, daughter of King Leopold I, King of the Belgians, born in Laeken in 1840 and who went to live in Italy after her marriage to the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg. Between 1860 and 1864, the couple lived happily at the Miramar Castle, near Trieste, an imposing residence set amidst a large garden and overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The castle was built between 1856 and 1860 under the aegis of the Archduke Maximilian himself, who constructed this impressive castle on a sheer rock over the sea.

The exhibition presents almost forty works including paintings, lithographs, photographs of the period, historic documents and personal objects belonging to the princess, coming mainly from the collection of the Historic Museum of the Miramar Castle and from the BELvue Museum. It is the first time that works from the two museums have been brought together to illustrate Charlotte’s personal and artistic life.

Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to discover the travel diary of Adrien Goffinet, a document that is part of the Goffinet Archival Fund, acquired by the King Baudouin Foundation. The diary is an amazing account of one of King Leopold II’s advisors, who was given the mission in 1867 to bring Princess Charlotte of Miramar back to Belgium. Until recently this expedition was relatively unknown. Adrien Goffinet’s diary – which contains not only a record of his trip, but also personal notes and transcriptions – enables us to retrace this adventure, full of intrigue and strategic calculations.

Charlotte from Belgium, years of happiness

BELvue Museum
Place de Palais - 1000 Brussels
Monday to Friday: 10 to 17 h
Weekends: 10 to 18 h
Free entry
Exhibition organized by the BELvue Museum, the Museo Storico del Castello di Miramare, MIBAC and Alef