A long-haired spider monkey and a scarlet macaw from Prince Eugene’s menagerie

oil painting, F. David, c. 1700

Out of all species of animals, Eugene loved collecting birds the most. “In this assembly there was no place for a bird that was not recommended for its song, or its beautiful colour, or indeed its exotic character” we read in an eighteenth-century description.

Eugene ordered the animals in his menageries to be immortalised in engravings and paintings, such as this example, which is marked with Eugene’s name as well. A particularly large number of animal paintings was to be found in Schloss Hof. For instance, the comparatively small coffee room displayed 53 pictures of animals! – and mostly of birds.