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Copyright: L'Illustration, Nr. 1258, 6.4.1867, S. 209

The Emperor´s speech on the occasion of the prize-giving of 1.7.1867:

“Gentlemen! After an intermediate period of 12 years, I shall for the second time distribute the rewards to those who have proved to be the most outstanding in that work which enriches the nations, enhances life and ennobles our customs. (...) The representatives of science, the arts and industry from all points of the compass have raced to come here, and one can say that nations and kings have come in the spirit of reconciliation and peace to honour the works of labour and to crown such works through their presence. (...) The exhibition of 1867 can justly call itself the 'universal' exhibition, because it unifies the elements of all of the treasures of this earth; apart from the very newest refinements of modern art, we see the products of the most ancient times, so that the exhibition simultaneously represents the activities of all of the centuries of all of the nations. It is 'universal', because aside from the miracles which luxury brings to the few, it is completely committed to the needs of the great majority. Never have the interests of the working classes provoked more active care. Their moral and material needs, education, the conditions for cheap existence, the most effective ways and means of the concept of association, have been the object of scrupulous investigations and serious studies. Similarly to these, all improvements are progressing forwards. While science sets work free by making use of materials, education of the heart promotes humanity by conquering vices, prejudices and mean passions. (...) The 1867 exhibition will, I hope, mark a new era of harmony and progress. Convinced that Providence will bless the works of all those who want, as we do, the good, I believe in the final triumph of the great principles of morality and justice which alone, satisfying all lawful wishes, can secure the throne, uplift the peoples and enhance humanity."
Source: K.u.K. Österreichisches Central-Comitee von der Weltausstelung zu Paris 1867. Offizieller Ausstellungsbericht. Vienna 1869, p. 337 f.


Eugène Rimmel on the Exhibition Palace

"The external appearance of the structure is far from attractive: much as the London Exhibition of 1862 was open to criticism, its two noble domes atoned for the heaviness of the edifice, whilst in this instance the monotony of the grey dull building is but poorly relieved by the meagre flagpoles which form its only ornament. The interior of the palace is not more striking than the exterior; its continual curves so fatiguing to the eye, do not offer at any point those long vistas which usually form the beauty of this species of building; the only spot which really presents a pretty aspect is the central garden, whence the different courts radiate."
Source: Recollections of the Paris Exhibition of 1867,
London 1868, p. 8. Quotation from Findling 1990, p. 36.

"Das äußere Erscheinungsbild des Baus ist wenig anziehend: wenn auch die Londoner Ausstellung von 1862 kritikwürdig war und ihre zwei würdigen Kuppeln nur die Schwerfälligkeit des Gebäudes verdeckten, so ist hier die Monotonie des grauen, langweiligen Gebäudes kaum durch die dürren Flaggenmasten gemildert, die seine einzige Verzierung bilden. Das Innere des Palastes ist nicht viel aufregender als sein Äußeres; die das Auge so ermüdenden Biegungen bieten nirgends die langen Blickachsen, die üblicherweise die Schönheit eines Gebäudes dieser Art ausmachen; der einzige Ort, der einen hübschen Anblick bietet,ist der zentrale Garten, von dem die verschiedenen Galerien strahlenförmig ausgehen."


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The Paris World Exposition 1867
 
Year: 1867City: ParisCountry: France
Duration: 1st April - 3rd November 1867

 

 

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