Ernest Louis succeeds as Grand Duke of Hesse

Background. The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine was a state in western Germany existing from 1806 to 1918. It originated from the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, promoted to a grand duchy in 1806. The name 'Hesse and by Rhine' was adopted in 1816 to distinguish it from the Electorate of Hesse-Kassel. Louis IV, who ruled from 1877, died in 1892, leading to the succession of his son Ernest Louis, who became the last grand duke.

Succession. Ernest Louis was born on 25 November 1868 at the New Palace in Darmstadt as the elder son of Louis IV and Princess Alice. Upon the death of his father, Grand Duke Louis IV, on 13 March 1892, Ernest Louis succeeded him as Grand Duke. He was twenty-three years old at the time of his accession. His reign began with a marked focus on cultural policy, distinguishing him from many other German monarchs.

Cultural Context. Ernest Louis was known as a patron of the arts, particularly modern art and Jugendstil. He founded the Darmstadt Artists' Colony, a project originally conceived by his mother, Grand Duchess Alice, who died before its realization. His accession in 1892 saw a shift towards cultural policy. Unlike most other German monarchs, he supported modern art movements, which became a defining feature of his early reign.