“Artfully prepared” is the real Cosa Rara today in the Marstallmuseum in Nymphenburg, so it can be read in the blog of the Bavarian Palace Administration. Cosa Rara, a gray mare, was none other than King Ludwig II’s favorite riding horse. So she is one of the few horses in history with an easily understandable biography. Born in England in 1863, Cosa Rara was bought at the age of six in June 1869 for King Ludwig II. She spent about ten years together with the fairy tale king, probably sweetening some of the nocturnal rides that he valued so much.
This anecdote, immortalized in an oil painting by Friedrich Wilhelm Pfeiffer, has been preserved from the time that Ross and Reiter had together: Ludwig II once shared a human lunch with his Cosa Rara at Linderhof Palace. When brought up to a set table, the horse sniffed, probably not very enthusiastic, at roasts and red wine. The king is said to have had a great time.
A horse by the name of Cosa Rara, a strange thing by name, is a hitherto overlooked companion and playmate of the extravagant king. In Miguel Robitzky’s “My Life under Ludwig II.” now puts them in the light of Ludwig’s already well-lit life. The graphic novel, the “Memoirs of a Riding Horse”, tells the story of a horse and a king around the real historical cornerstones, both of whom have to inherit a great deal – but actually only want to play. Cosa Rara would like to dance, but has to become a riding horse (the great-grandfather is Condé, the horse of Frederick the Great). Ludwig would like to be Wagner’s Lohengrin, the swan prince, but has to be king (the great-grandfather is Friedrich Wilhelm II, the successor of Frederick the Great).
The author and cartoonist Miguel Robitzky (among others for Titanic and Jan Böhmermann’s team of authors) humorously illustrates the decay of Ludwig, who was initially jumping through the castles while still young. His mare soon realizes that she doesn’t have to serve this king, but rather help. While Ludwig tries in vain to stay out of wars and build his castles, Venus grotto and peacock carriages, Cosa Rara wants to save him from his madness and the jealous ministers. But even the most magnificent of all horses cannot make the king a swan knight. The tragic end of the story is well known, but Ludwig II has never been as funny and lovable as in this comic.