Archduke Maximilian’s Egyptian Collection Returns to Trieste: Exhibition at Miramare (Apr 2–Nov 1, 2

Archduke Maximilian’s Egyptian collection returns to Trieste

From April 2 to November 1, 2026 the Stables of Miramare Castle host the exhibition A Sphinx Draws Him. Maximilian of Austria and the Egyptian Collections between Trieste and Vienna. The show reunites over one hundred objects that illustrate the archduke’s interest in Ancient Egypt and the formation of his collection, largely preserved today at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

The selection brings together loans from the Vienna museum and pieces from the Civic Museum of Antiquities J. J. Winckelmann in Trieste, covering a wide chronological span and highlighting the acquisition practices of the 19th century.

Highlights and themes

The exhibition traces both the individual artifacts and the broader collecting context. Key aspects include:

• Main objects: statues, amulets, stelae and works in faience and basalt demonstrating diverse artistic techniques and iconography.
• Historical context: acquisitions, diplomatic missions and the market dynamics that shaped 19th-century collections.
• Venue significance: the Stables of Miramare provide a historically relevant setting, designed in connection with the archduke himself.

Curators and partners

The exhibition is promoted by the Historical Museum and Park of Miramare Castle in collaboration with the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna. Curators and scientific contributors include museum directors and Egyptology specialists who helped shape the project.

Practical information

• Dates: April 2 – November 1, 2026
• Venue: Stables, Miramare Castle, Trieste
• Organisers: Historical Museum and Park of Miramare Castle, co-organised with the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna); produced by MondoMostre and CoopCulture.
• Visitor tips: check updated opening hours and ticket prices on the museum’s website; allow 60–90 minutes for the visit.

This exhibition offers a chance to explore the role of Egyptology within 19th-century European collecting and to see objects that have been outside Trieste for more than a century.