Once upon a time in Venice, a young man saw a beautiful young woman, and in that moment, he was captivated. The young man's name was Ludwig, and he was the Bavarian Crown Prince, while the young woman's name was Hebe, a stunning sculpture by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. From that day in 1804 onward, painting, sculpture, and architecture became the prince's passion. And because the prince became king a few years later, he also had the means to pursue his passion. Hannelore Putz tells the exciting and entertaining story of how he sent his agents to search for artworks, had his architect Leo von Klenze design true temples, inspired his artists to create masterpieces, and transformed his capital city of Munich into an art metropolis of European significance. She describes the pulsation of this vibrant cultural life.