Brief Information

The exhibition is dedicated to the phenomenon of “traditional costume renewal” (Trachtenerneuerung), which in Salzburg led to the development of a distinct Salzburg State Suit (Salzburger Landesanzug). The overall project explores the foundations and contexts of this garment. The exhibition focuses on the representative purpose of the State Suit and the history of its impact and reception.

Curatorial Statement

The exhibition examines the phenomenon of traditional costume renewal, which in Salzburg—the only federal state in Austria where it was promoted at the government level as early as 1910—culminated in the creation of a distinctive men’s suit. By resolution of the Salzburg provincial government on July 2, 1935 (Ref. No. 3227/Präs.), this suit was officially declared the “Salzburg State Costume” (Salzburger Landestracht).

A selection of paintings and graphic works in the first section of the exhibition illustrates the significance of traditional costume as an artistic motif in Salzburg during this period. The second section presents impressive evidence of living folk culture: alongside archival source materials, original State Suits worn by prominent personalities—especially Salzburg’s provincial governors—are displayed. These are presented together with portraits of Governor Dr. Franz Rehrl (1922–1938), Dr. Adolf Schemel (1945), Dipl.-Ing. Albert Hochleitner (1945–1947), and Josef Rehrl (1947–1949), all depicted wearing the State Suit.

Models representing the first efforts to renew traditional women’s costumes are the subject of the third section of the exhibition. The fourth section is devoted to the development of traditional costume and clothing under the theme “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”