"After Napoleon's 1798-1801 Egyptian campaign, his publications of its scholarly findings, including engravings of Egyptian styles, were widely disseminated. A fashion for Egyptian styles and military camp furnishings swept Europe and inspired Friedrich's architect, Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret. "This is probably the only palace in Europe to have a drapery room remaining to this extent of completeness, including fabric, trimmings, and furnishings to match," says Anu-Susanna Ventelä, a textile conservator at the State Palaces and Gardens (SPG) of Baden-Württemberg. Exposed to years of soil, dust, sunlight, pollution and even insect retardants, the silks, originally turquoise and now a faded blue-green, needed cleaning, she says."
"Sometimes described as the "Versailles of Swabia", Ludwigsburg Palace is located near Stuttgart in south-west Germany. Comprising 452 rooms, it displays a range of interior styles added by Württemberg's dukes, from early 1700s Baroque through 1760-70s Rococo to Friedrich's revisions guided by Thouret, who had trained in Italy and France. Napoleon visited the palace in October 1805 and was received with full honours. Today, Ludwigsburg hosts concerts, weddings and festivals. Last year, it welcomed more than 260,000 visitors."
Friedrich I of Baden-Württemberg allied with Napoleon and elevated his title from duke to king, prompting renovations at Ludwigsburg Palace to convey increased status. Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret incorporated Egyptian-inspired motifs after Napoleon's Egyptian campaign publications popularized those designs across Europe. The drapery bedchamber survives with unusually complete fabrics, trimmings, and furnishings but suffered fading, soil, dust, pollution, and insect-retardant residues. Textile conservators at the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg undertook cleaning and restoration. Restoration of multiple prized rooms began in 2016, with four rooms expected to reopen in 2026. Ludwigsburg comprises 452 rooms and hosts concerts, weddings, festivals, and large visitor numbers.
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