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Prince Eugenio Oddone of Italy
Duca di Monferrato
(1846–66)

Other names: Oddone Eugenio Maria

Biographical

Duca di Monferrato
Knight of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus [Italy]

Captain
Lieutenant

Oddone was kept in isolation due to his poor health and appearance (he suffered from a genetic bone disorder), but was highly intelligent and had a strong interest in art. He was already seriously ill in 1848, and had been subjected to aggressive treatments and surgical procedures which kept him immobile. Until 1853, he was kept in the care of his mother and paternal grandmother, and was entrusted to various tutors in 1851. He moved permanently to the Royal Palace at Genova in 1860 and had his own small court. There he developed his cultural interests and increased his art collections. He was able to pursue a military career, and was made lieutenant and captain. From 1862, he travelled to southern Italy and Constantinople on educational trips, and had soon become a serious collector of antiques and archaeological artefacts. After his death, his collections donated to various museums at Genoa.

Place of birth: Racconigi
Place of death: Genova
Place of burial: Basilica of Superga

Son of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy and Maria Adelheid, Archduchess of Austria (Habsburg). He never married.

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