As a consequence of colonialism – the violent exploitation of new territories outside Europe – certain people in the 18th century developed a keen interest in fully capturing (and subjugating) the animal and plant kingdoms, and “naturalness” became the ideal. “Naturalness” did not refer to a pristine, untouched landscape, however, but instead to a fabricated image of nature as the antithesis of the artificial world of the court (and culture). Their desire for naturalness was what led the royal couple and Struensee to spend the summers in the countryside with only a very small entourage in attendance. In 1770, in-depth negotiations about Struensee’s proposed reforms were held at Traventhal Palace. This was followed in 1771 by the retreat to Hirschholm Palace, where Struensee developed most of his reforms. The members of the “ménage à trois” spent the summer labouring under a brief illusion of private happiness.
Steel engraving, etching, 19th century
Reproduction
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust (RCIN 702969) The “Dutch House” is the oldest of the few remaining buildings at Kew Gardens. George III, who preferred rural life to life at court, was educated here and later used Kew Palace as a summer residence with his family.
Queen Charlotte’s Cottage was personally designed by Queen Charlotte, Caroline Matilda’s sister in law as a “rustic retreat”. Until her death in 1818, the royal family used the cottage for picnics, and it was one of George III’s favourite places.
Copperplate engraving, after 1771
Bomann Museum Celle
BGR00646
At Struensee’s suggestion, Caroline Matilda learned to ride – exercise, he said, would help ease her depression. After riding side-saddle for a while, she soon started using a men’s saddle so that she could ride in a more athletic style. However, her penchant for riding astride rather than side-saddle, and for wearing men’s clothing, damaged the queen’s reputation enormously.
Painting on paper and card; rose, 18th century
Stiftung Schloss Marienburg
0682
Caroline Matilda loved spending time in the aristocratic gardens in Celle, such as the Lescoursche Garden and the French Garden. She is thought to have collected these dried blossoms there.
Porcelain, 1770
Museum Schloss Fürstenberg
0768
The enthusiasm for flora and fauna in the 18th century was also reflected in everyday objects: this tea caddy shows a gardener grafting. Grafting is a horticultural technique for propagating or maintaining plants that display desirable characteristics (particularly ornamental trees and fruit trees).
Bone, alloys, mother-of-pearl inlays, silk, glass or precious stone, paper, 18th century
Stiftung Schloss Marienburg
0768
This hand-painted fan depicts Zeus, the father of the gods, as a youth. He is pictured in the middle beside Venus, the goddess of beauty. Zeus is surrounded by putti and swans in an artificially arranged representation of “nature”, framed by still-life pictures of fruit and flowering vines.