5.5 Conclusion
Count Wrschowetz was one of the first collectors to consciously purchase and commission artworks in order to achieve the most perfect symmetrical arrangement of his collection. It is possible that Wrschowetz installed his collection of paintings in this way only after he renovated his newly acquired castle in 1698. The symmetrical arrangement concerned not only the formats of the works, but also the subjects and compositions, with old Netherlandish masters usually being the starting point. This enhanced the overall harmony and balance of the artworks on display, as seen in Bretschneiders' gallery painting (1702). It is not known to what extent other Bohemian collectors invested in symmetrical arrangements during Wrschowetz's lifetime. Other Bohemian collectors were most certainly aware of the latest decorative scheme, as Bretscheider's gallery paintings illustrate. This should be investigated further.
A large part of the Wrschowetz collection consisted of still lifes. This was rare, as history paintings were seen as the highest level within the hierarchy of genres; other Bohemian collections, such as Franz Anton Berka von Dubá's, largely contained history paintings. It is plausible that Wrschowetz followed his own tastes and built on paintings that he already owned. Since he had initially already acquired many still lifes, it was probably necessary for him, in order to achieve the intended symmetry, to commission more still lifes as counterparts to the Old Masters in his collection by contemporary artists. The dates of the commissions indicate this, as they were all executed after 1700. Wrschowetz's collection was not only a showacse of the collector's refined taste, but also gave impetus to the artistic development of local artists.