6-Lingual Archaeologist and Author: Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg's Legacy

The passing of Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg, a multifaceted individual whose life was marked by a deep passion for archaeology, art history, and farming, has left a void in the world of academia and beyond. Born in 1933 in Vienna, Austria, the prince's early life was shaped by his family's aristocratic background and his parents' tragic death in a motor vehicle accident when he was just a child. As he grew older, Prince Erkinger's interests in archaeology and art history led him to pursue higher education at Oxford and Princeton. His academic pursuits culminated in the publication of his book Die Grazien in 1966 and an article in the Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes in 1969, showcasing his expertise in the field. Additionally, his love for farming led him to live on a fifteenth-century villa in San Casciano, where he spent his later years.

Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg died on 29 April at San Casciano, near Florence. The prince had turned eighty-nine years-old earlier that month.

The prince's father Johann and mother Kathleen.

Born on 8 April 1933 at Vienna, Prince Karl Erkinger Thaddäus von Schwarzenberg was the first child and only son of Prince Johann von Schwarzenberg (1903-1978) and Vicomtesse Kathleen de Spoelberch (1905-1978), who wed in 1931. Erkinger was joined by a younger sister, Princess Colienne (b.1937; married Count Maximilian Joseph von Meran). Erkinger's parents, Prince Johann and Princess Kathleen, were both killed in a motor vehicle accident on 26 May 1978 at Cittá della Pieve.

In 1946, Prince Johann and Princess Kathleen purchased a fifteenth-century villa in the countryside of San Casciano. Their son Erkinger was entranced by the villa and returned to live there permanently in 1978.

Erkinger Schwarzenberg attended Oxford and Princeton. His father was the Austrian ambassador to the United Kingdom. In 1957, while a student at Oxford, Erkinger became unofficially engaged to Alice Jolliffee, the daughter of the 4th Baron Hylton - the romance did not end in marriage. On 26 July 1962 at Athens, Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg married Elisabeth Constantinides (b.1943). Erkinger and Elisabeth had three children: Prince Johannes (b.1963), Princess Anna Gabriella (b.1964; married 1st Baron Philipp von Waechter; married 2nd Adam Dixon), and Prince Alexander Konstantin (b.1971; married 1st Annabel Dimitriadi; married 2nd Donna Elena Bonanno dei Principi di Linguaglossa). Erkinger and Elisabeth divorced in 1975. On 13 July 1977 at San Casciano, Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg married Countess Claudia zu Brandis (b.1949). Erkinger and Claudia had two daughters: Princess Gaia (b.1978; married Loïc van Cutsem), and Princess Ida (b.1980; married Baudouin de Troostembergh). 

Read More : Archaeologist and Author: Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg (1933-2022)

Fluent in six languages, the prince was keenly interested in archeology and the history of art. He was also a passionate farmer. In 1966, Erkinger's book Die Grazien was published. In 1969, the prince contributed an article entitled "From the Alessandro Morente to the Alexandre Richelieu. The Portraiture of Alexander the Great in Seventeenth-Century Italy and France." which was published in the Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes.

Erkinger Schwarzenberg is survived by his wife, his five children, and his twenty grandchildren.

May the Prince Rest in Peace.

Source: San Casciano, addio a Karl Erkinger Schwarzenberg: a 89 anni muore il “principe contadino”

 

As we conclude our tribute to Prince Erkinger von Schwarzenberg, we are reminded of the profound impact his multifaceted life had on the world of archaeology, art history, and farming. His dedication to these pursuits, coupled with his fluency in six languages, allowed him to make significant contributions to his chosen fields. His book, *Die Grazien*, published in 1966, and his article, "From the Alessandro Morente to the Alexandre Richelieu. The Portraiture of Alexander the Great in Seventeenth-Century Italy and France," published in the Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes in 1969, are testaments to his expertise and passion for the subject matter. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding our cultural heritage.

Prince Erkinger's life was marked by a deep connection to the villa in San Casciano, where he spent his later years. His love for farming and the villa's history was evident in his decision to live there permanently in 1978. This connection to the land and the community surrounding him was a testament to his ability to balance his intellectual pursuits with a deep appreciation for the simple things in life. As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we are left with a sense of gratitude for the contributions he made to his fields and the inspiration he provided to those who knew him. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of archaeologists, art historians, and farmers alike, ensuring that his impact will be felt for years to come.