WILLIAM CALLOW, O.W.S. (1812-1908)

SCHLOSS CALLENBERG, COBURG
Signed with initials l.l., inscribed l.r. Callenberg / August 15th 1863
Watercolour
25 x 35 cm
 
PROVENANCE:
Anonymous sale, Christie's, London, 12.10.1976, lot 26;
Private collection, U.K.
 
 
 
 
In the wake of Prince Albert's death in 1862, William Callow wrote to the Duchess Augusta of Saxe-Coburg (a former pupil of his) to enquire if he might be able to visit the late Prince Consort's former seats in Germany, to produce a series of views in commemoration of the Prince.  His timing was fortuitious, as Queen Victoria had arrived in Germany at the same time, and he was invited to an audience where he discussed the project with the Queen. Callow noted in his diaries that Victoria had said to her cousin the Duchess, 'I remember Mr Callow perfectly', and that the Queen suggested the various sites he should visit to him and even went so far as to note them down on 'deep mourning-paper', as he spoke no German and was concerned that he should get their names right. In a touching note, Callow wrote 'These two pieces of notepaper I have always cherished in recollection of this very pleasing interview which I had with the Queen.' (1)
 
 
Schloss Callenberg, situated a short distance from the town of Coburg, was a hunting lodge and summer residence, and has long been the principal residence of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. It was owned by Andreas, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who created the Ducal Saxe-Coburg and Gotha House Order. Until 1825, the ducal treasury and the Castle of Callenberg were property of the Dukes of Saxe-Meiningen. It was only in 1826 that the Dukes of Coburg become owners of Callenberg Castle again (having previously become owners as early as 1588). Until 1945, the castle was the summer residence of the Dukes of Coburg.