| Abstrakt: |
A preliminary archival research conducted on Luigi of Carignano (1721-1778) allows us to start introducing the Prince’s early life and career. Born in Paris following the decision of his family to flee from Piedmont, he moved to Turin at the age of nine after the ascension to the throne of Carlo Emanuele III, who would later take care of the education of the young prince. Since then, he never left Piedmont for another land. In 1740, he tightened the family bonds with the Royal Family by marrying Christine of Hesse-Rotenburg, sister of the late Queen Polyxena. In 1741, Luigi became Prince of Carignano – the fourth of his dynasty – following his father’s death. He embraced his career as cadet of the family and turned out to be a role model in the military field: formerly serving officer in the Savoy army, he became Captain General in 1774. In the field of architecture, he sponsored the renewal of his family’s favourite residence, the Castle of Racconigi, and commissioned the building of a new theatre in front of Palazzo Carignano. Notwithstanding the fact that he played a key role, his public and private figure has never been properly outlined, nor his personality deeply explored. This paper thus aims at providing a first biographical profile of the Prince. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
