The festive center of Solitude PalaceThe White Hall

The White Hall of Solitude Palace has a festive and elegant appearance—the highlight for receiving important guests. During Duke Carl Eugen's time, lively balls, sumptuous receptions, and stately gala dinners were held here. The White Hall is still a popular event location today.

Interior view of the White Hall in Solitude Palace

The palace highlight: the White Hall.

Where the court danced its heart out

Vast, elegant, stylish, the White Hall is the centerpiece of the palace complex. The walls are clad in stucco marble and arrayed with pairs of Corinthian columns. Six French doors allow access to the surrounding balcony, which offers particularly spectacular views from the north side. The cupola, with its oval ceiling painting and rich stucco work, crowns the magnificent room. This hall is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in all of Württemberg.

Looking up is rewarding

The oval ceiling painting in the White Hall was painted around 1768 by French artist Nicolas Guibal. It is a symbolic depiction of the welfare of Württemberg under the reign of Duke Carl Eugen. In its airy heights, various figures populate an illusionistic sky. In the center, the virtues of Gentleness and Wisdom flank the ducal coronet, which symbolized the sovereign. On the dark side, vice and war are conquered. In contrast, the light side of the painting displays peace and prosperity.

The ceiling paintings in the White Hall of Solitude Palace depict the welfare of the state of Württemberg under the reign of Duke Carl Eugen

Honoring the reign of Carl Eugen in the ceiling painting of the White Hall.

Artists at the court of Württemberg

In addition to Nicolas Guibal, French royal architect Philippe de La Guêpière and several stuccoists took part in its creation. Valentin Sonnenschein and Johann Adam Bauer made the figures decorated with garlands at the edge of the ceiling. The Italian artist, Ludovico Bossi, and his assistants also worked on the stucco decorations in the White Hall.

Portrait of Duke Carl Eugen von Württemberg on a medallion, circa 1780

Profile of Duke Carl Eugen on a medallion.

Courtly ceremonies

In July 1769, Duke Carl Eugen dined in the White Hall for the first time. In the following years, the room was used as a festive reception and ceremonial hall: an important site for courtly ceremonies in the Duchy of Württemberg.

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