Wilhelm IV was the King of Bavaria from 1825 until his death in 1848. He was known for his artistic interests and support of the Bavarian State Opera and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. Wilhelm IV was a patron of the arts and played a significant role in promoting culture in Bavaria during his reign. He was the son of King Ludwig I and became king after his brother's death. Wilhelm IV's reign was marked by political changes, including the rise of liberal movements in Germany. He abdicated in 1848 amid revolutionary pressures, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Bavaria.