24th July 2001 untill 11th Jannuary 2002Exhibition Room of the Austrian Mint

Wien 3, Am Heumarkt 1Mon - Fri 9.00 - 16.00, Wed bis 18.00

An Exhibition of the Austrian Mint

In co-operation with:

Österreichisches StaatsarchivVerwaltungsarchiv

Österreichisches StaatsarchivKriegsarchiv

Österreichisches StaatsarchivHaus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv

Kunsthistorisches Museum WienMünzkabinet

Kunsthistorisches Museum WienGemäldegalerie

Kunsthistorisches Museum WienWagenburg

Museen des BundesmobiliendepotsHofsilber- und Tafelkammer

Museen des BundesmobiliendepotsBundesmobiliendepot

Gesellschaft der Musikfreundein Wien

Österreichische NationalbibliothekBildarchiv

Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten Sammlung Hafner

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum Wien

Stift KlosterneuburgWiener Bestattungsmuseum

MARIATHERESIA

Exhibition Room of theAUSTRIAN MINT

Next Exhibition:

MONASTERIESin the Middle Ages

11th February untill 28th June 2002

The exhibitons for the year 2002 will be published later this year.

This Exhibition attends the 50 Euro Austrian commemorative coin in gold ”Orders and the World“ from the series ”2000 Years Christianity“ issued

in March 2002

MARIA THERESA

Maria Theresa was born on 13th May 1717 in the Vienna Hofburg as the eldest daughter of Emperor Charles VI and his wife, Elizabeth Christine. Four years previ-ously her father had promulgated the Pragmatic Sanc-

tion -tary lands of the House of Habsburg and the right of

however, provision was made for inheritance through the female line, should the male lineage in the House of Habsburg fail.

After almost eight years without children, Elizabeth

in 1716, but the prince died as baby that same year. In 1717 Maria Theresa was then born, followed by Maria Anna in 1718 and Maria Amalia in 1724. The latter died in 1730, when Maria Theresa was 13 years old. Emperor Charles VI set all his efforts (and money) on securing recognition of the Pragmatic Sanction by the

European powers, although he never gave up all hope of fathering yet a healthy son and heir.

Maria Theresa spent much of her childhood in the garden palace called “Favorita” which she turned into the “Ther-

esianum” (Theresian Knightly Academy) in 1749. Her education was not arranged with a view to a possible future accession to the throne, but was entrusted to the Jes-

Italian, French and Spanish. She studied religion and his-tory and learned music, dancing and singing. Reputedly, she had a sweet voice. The young Archduchess was a good student.

-raine, arrived at the Imperial Court. Still a girl, Maria Theresa appears to have fallen in love with the young prince, who was some eight years her senior. She was to maintain later: ”

Stephen as a possible consort for his daughter, it was the determination of Maria Theresa that brought about the marriage to him in 1736. As a condition for the marriage, however,

Pragmatic Sanction.

By way of compensation Charles VI made his son-in-law Grand Duke of Tuscany. Francis Stephen and his wife travelled in 1738/39 to Florence, where to this day a triumphal arch commemorates their ceremonial entrance in the city. After three months they returned to Vienna. Neither would ever visit Florence again.

On 20th October, 1740, the Emperor Charles VI died suddenly after returning from a day’s hunting. Maria Theresa entered into the Habsburg inheritance.

The Pragmatic Sanction quickly revealed itself to be inadequate. Charles Albert of Bavaria, who was married to a daughter of the late Emperor Joseph I (a cousin of Maria Theresa’s), lodged a formal protest. In Britain the king, George II, showed himself supportive, but inac-tive. (His greatest concern were his German territories of Hanover.) France declared itself prepared to respect the Pragmatic Sanction, so long as the rights of third parties were in no way thereby diminished. Meanwhile Frederick II, the young King of Prussia, marched into the province of Silesia without any formal declaration of war. A less promising accession is hard to imagine! Maria Theresa was just 23. She had to demonstrate to her new subjects

of survival against external enemies, all without money or even adequate troops.

Not for a moment,however, did she doubt her mission to rule the peoples of the Habsburg hereditary lands. She quickly gained a realistic appraisal of the quality of her military lead-ers and of her father’s counsellors. She resolutely refused the repeated advice to compro-mise with Frederick II. To her the Prussian King was a thief, the “ ”. And anyway, she could never give up Silesia.

The War of the Austrian Succession

France concluded an alliance with Prussia. England, France’s arch-enemy, sided with Aus-tria. Frederick’s war in Silesia turned into the War of the Austrian Succession.

Maria Theresa gathered all her forces. After tough negotiations with the Hungarians, she and Francis Stephen went to Pressburg (today’s Bratislava) where she was crowned King

of Hungary on 25th th September Maria Theresa made a personal appeal to the Hungarian Diet: “

” It was an emotional appeal, nicely calculated to strike a chord in the gallant hearts of the Hungarians. “ ” (We consecrate our lives and our blood) came their response.

Charles Albert marched into Upper Austria, and on 14th September, 1741, he captured

but he did not risk the attack on Vienna. Encouraged by the French, he turned aside to the north, where he took the city of Prague and on 19th December received their homage to him as King of Bohemia.

In January, 1742, Field Marshal Count Khevenhüller -

lation on 24th January on condition of allowing the enemy garrison to withdraw unhindered. On that same day Charles Albert was elected as the new Holy Roman Emperor in Frankfurt. His coronation took place there on 12th February. Two days later the vic-torious Khevenhüller captured the city of Munich. Charles VII became an Emperor without a home. Fre-derick II distrusted the intentions of both France and Bavaria. On 24th July, 1742, he concluded a peace with Austria, whereby Maria Theresa reluctantly had to relinquish Silesia to him.

Mid-August the Austrian troops under the command of Francis Stephen surrounded Prague. On the 26th

again on condition the French and Bavarian soldiers be allowed to withdraw unhindered. The following year, on 12th May, Maria Theresa allowed herself to be crown Queen of Bohemia St. Vitus’s Cathedral in Prague.

Meanwhile England, Hanover and Holland joined Maria Theresa in alliance. In 1743 France suffered defeat by the “ ” at the Battle of Dettingen. (The last time an Eng-

more and took Prague on 15th September. The Austrians had to give up Munich and much of Bavaria to re-deploy their troops, but they did recapture Prague on 26th November.

On 20th January,1745, Emperor Charles VII died. His succes-sor in Bavaria made peace with Austria and recognised the

. On 25th September Maria Theresa had the pleasure of watching her husband be crowned in Frankfurt as Emperor Francis I Stephen. At Christmas, much at the behest of England, she concluded peace with Frederick in Dresden. The war in the west and the south against the French and the Span-ish continued until 1748, when the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle

an end.

An Age of Reform

As the consort of Francis I Stephen, Maria Theresa was now “Empress”, a title she would bear until her death. She soon embarked on a course of reform and renewal which would lay the foundations of a modern state and enabled the Habsburg Monarchy to weather the storms of the French Revolutionary Wars, of Napoleon and the rise of nationalism in the 19th

century down to the First World War. Her reforms stemmed rather from her common sense and her talents as a conscien-tious ruler than from any philosophical conviction or “enlight-enment”.

Most pressing, of course, were the military reforms. Here the later Field Marshal, Count Daun, played a leading role. He was anxious to expand recruitment and to modernise the army, to introduce a standardised discipline and drill right down to the question of standardised uniforms among the various regi-ments (of obvious importance for recognition in battle). Prince

-

the second military academy in Wiener Neustadt.

Empress began the reform of the machinery of state. They tried to bind the different lands

and State Chancellery), a Court War Council as well as the central House, Court and State Archives (1749) had all been founded. To these were added the “Directorium publicis et cameralibus” (later the United Bohemian and Austrian Court Chancelleries) as a combined

paper money, the “Banco-Zettel”, was introduced.

Other areas of reform included justice, higher education (including medicine) and the school system. Here the Empress was supported by her personal physician, Gerard van Swieten, and by Joseph von Sonnenfels. In 1766 work began on the legal code “Codex Theresianus” which was

the new form of the Judiciary and in 1776 she abolished the use of torture. In 1774 the “Standard Regulation of Schools in Austria” was issued, the curriculum for higher education

diplomats and even for veterinarians were established.

The Reversal of the Alliances

Count Kaunitz (himself a Francophile) succeeded in 1756 with the help of Madame Pom-padour in Versailles to reach a reconciliation with France. That led to the famous “reversal of the alliances”: Austria and France against Prussia and England. Frederick II attacked Austria’s ally Saxony. Russia and Sweden joined Austria. This war is known to history as

India and North America.

Frederick II encountered a very different Austrian army. Although they were never able to

Prussians. (In 1757 General Hadik actually managed a lightening attack on Berlin itself!) On 18th June, 1757, Daun won a resounding victory over Frederick at Kolin close to Prague. Maria Theresa declared that day to be “the birthday of the Monarchy” and she instituted the military Maria Theresa Order for bravery. Daun went

in Brandenburg in 1759.

In 1763 Austria and Prussia concluded peace in the castle

the irreversible loss of Silesia. A year later her son Joseph was elected King of the Romans and crowned in Frank-furt. The imperial succession was assured.

On 18th August, 1765, Francis I Stephen died suddenly of a stroke while visiting Innsbruck. The Empress, who was still deeply in love with her husband, was inconsolable. From that day forward she would wear nothing but the black dress of a mourning widow.

The Final Years

Joseph II followed his father as Emperor and Maria Theresa made him her co-regent in

of Tuscany.) It was an uneasy situation, since mother and son were so very different in their views. Maria Theresa was profoundly religious, Joseph was not. She had a heart for her people, Joseph acted out of reason and philosophical conviction. Joseph’s admiration for Frederick II was a constant thorn in her side. She regarded Joseph as heartless and radi-cal. On the other hand, despite his imperial title Joseph felt himself always in his mother’s shadow, pre-empted by her in all decisions. He nonetheless loved and respected her, just as Maria Theresa loved him with all a mother’s heart.

1770 the youngest daughter of the Empress, Marie Antoinette, married the Dauphin (later

The great political question that split mother and son, was the partition of Poland between Russia, Prussia and Austria in 1772. Maria Theresa saw this as morally wrong, as a crime against the rights of the Polish people. Joseph was anxious to score a success in foreign policy If he could not be a great general like Frederick, then at least a great statesman who increased the territory of the Monarchy by other means than war. In this matter Kaunitz sided with Joseph. Finally they wore the opposition of Maria Theresa down. She accepted it

In 1780 the Empress turned 63 years old and was worn out. At the beginning of November she fell ill with a cold. Her condition worsened and she was administered Extreme Unction (the last rites) on 28th November. She was now very corpulent and had problems with her lungs. She suffered attacks of suffocation. Since she could not breathe lying

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November shortly before nine in the evening, she struggled out of her chair and made towards a window. Suddenly she collapsed and had to be helped to a sofa. Joseph kneeled beside her: “Your Majesty is lying very ill” His mother replied: “Yes, but well enough to die.” Shortly thereafter Maria Theresa, the great Empress and mother of her coun-try, passed away.

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1) Bust of Charles VI (1711-1740)

Charles was the younger son of Leopold I and intended as the successor to the Spanish throne. In the War of the Spanish Succession, however, he failed to dis-lodge his Bourbon rivals. After the death of his brother, Joseph I, in 1711 Char-les was elected Holy Roman Emperor. He was the last of the direct male line in the House of Habsburg, and although he never gave up hope of fathering a healthy son, he issued the Pragmatic Sanction in 1713 securing the inheritance in the female line, should the male line die out.Plaster cast of original by Raphael Donner. 18th century.KHM-MK

2) Great Seal of Charles VI

The Emperor is seated on a throne. Above is the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, on the left are the shields of Hungary and Dalmatia, right those of Bohemia and Croatia, and below the combined arms of Austria and Burgundy.Facsimile. Tattersall collection

3) Announcement of the birth of Maria Theresa 1717

The Emperor’s only son, Leopold Johann, died in the year of his birth 1716. Maria Theresa was born at 7.30 am on 13th May, 1717 in the Hofburg. She was baptised that same day in the Rittersaal with the names: Maria Theresa Wal-burga Amalia Christina. Empress Eleonore Magdalena (widow of Leopold I) and Empress Amilia Wilhelmine (widow of Joseph I) together with the Nuncio Spinola as proxy for Pope Clement XI were the godparents.Printed “advertisement” 1717.HHStA, ÄZA, Kt. 27, fol. 13-14

4) Medal celebrating Maria Theresa’s birth

A woman sits holding the baby under her right arm. RENASCENS SPES ORBIS (Birth of the hope of the world.)Silver, 44 mmKHM,MK. Inv. Nr. 1888bß

5) The young Archduchess Maria Theresa

A charming youthful portrait of the daughter of Charles VI, painted by Andreas Möller (1684-1762)KHM-GG, Inv. Nr. 215Reduced reproduction

6) The Imperial couple with their three daughters

After the death of his only son, Leopold Johann, Charles Vi had three daughters: Maria Theresa in 1717, Maria Anna on 14th September, 1718, and Maria Amalia on 5th April, 1724. The youngest girl died still a child in 1730. Maria Anna fell in love with Charles, Duke of Lorraine, younger brother of Francis Stephen, the future husband of Maria Theresa. She could not marry him before 1744. Unfortunately, she was delivered of a stillborn child and died shortly thereafter in Brussels on 16th December, 1744.Pastel by Martin van Meytens 1730.MMD, Inv. Nr. 123

7) The Empress Elizabeth Christine

Charles was married to Elizabeth Christine von Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel on 23rd

April, 1708, in the parish church of Wien-Hietzing. The Emperor Joseph I stood proxy for his brother, who was away fighting for his Spanish crown as King Charles III. Elizabeth Christine came from a Protestant family and had to con-vert to the Catholic faith before the marriage could take place.Plaster cast of original by Raphael Donner.KHM-MK

8) Letter of Maria Theresa’s to her fiancé 1736

After officially requesting Maria Theresa’s hand in marriage, Francis Stephen withdrew from Vienna to Pressburg (Bratislava) to await the wedding. Here Maria Theresa wrote to him several times. This letter is four days before their nuptials (8th February). She wrote again on 10th February wishing him a safe journey to Vienna for the wedding.HHStA, Familien-Korrespondenz A, Kt. 37

9) “Il Palladio Conservato L’Anno., 1735”

Sung by the Archduchess Maria Theresa and her sister, with the Countess Fuchs, before the imperial Court. Composed by Johann Georg Reutter. Countess Fuchs was the Aja to both princesses. She became the confidante and Mistress of the Household to Maria Theresa. Even Francis Stephen sought her advice occasio-nally. She was accorded the privilege of being the only non-Habsburg to be buried in the Imperial Crypt.Manuscript score from the Music Collection of Archduke Rudolph.GMFW, Inv. Nr. IV 13737 (Q 1862)

10) Marriage Contract between Francis Stephen and Maria Theresa

Francis Stephen, Duke of Lorraine, was very popular with the Emperor, and the Archduchess Maria Theresa had fallen in love with him from the beginning. There were, however, counsellors who advised again a marriage with a rela-tively powerless Duke of Lorraine. (France had occupied the Duchy.) Prince Eugene of Savoy preferred a match with the Bavarians. In December, 1735, Charles VI formally announced the engagement of Maria Theresa with Francis Stephen. A papal dispensation was requested, since Francis Stephen’s grandmo-ther had been a sister of Leopold I, grandfather to Maria Theresa.

This Marriage Contract of 30th January, 1736, contained the conditions of the marriage. Among other things, Maria Theresa had to promise to step aside in the line of inheritance, should a male heir be born later.The next day Francis Stephen made his formal request of the Emperor and Empress for the hand of their daughter.HHStA, Familienurkunden Nr. 1892

11) Medal celebrating the Wedding 1736

Double portrait of the bridal couple. TERESA ET FRANSICUS SPONSISilver, 44 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 4742bß

12) The Wedding Banquet

The Court artist, Martin van Meytens, painted the scene at the wedding banquet. For artistic reasons in fact he painted it back-to-front with the bridal couple on the right instead of left-hand side. He has the widowed Empress Amalie Wil-helmine standing in black behind the two Archduchesses, otherwise she would have been hidden by the lady-in-waiting at the table.Painting by Martin van Meytens 1736.Reproduction

13) The seating order at the banquet

At 6 pm on 12th February the wedding procession left the Hofburg for the Augu-stinian church, where the papal nuncio Domenico Passionei performed the cere-mony. The wedding banquet followed in the Hofburg. The high table was under a canopy embroidered in gold. The Emperor sat in the middle of the long side with his wife Elizabeth Christine on his right (our left) and his sister-in-law, the Dowager Empress Amalie Wilhelmine to his left. Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen sat at the end, also on the Emperor’s right. His second daughter, Maria Anna, and his own sister, Maria Magdalena, sat at the opposite end to his left.

A sketch of these arrangements appears clearly in the document.

HHStA, ÄZA Karton 37

14) The young Queen of Hungary and of Bohemia 1742

Engraving by Pieter Balthazar Bouttats, Antwerp, 1742.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf. 132 (0)

15) Young portrait

Oval portrait by Philipp Christoph Becker, undated,Silver, 48x42 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1690bß

16) The “Pragmatic Sanction” 1713

On 19th April, 1713, the still childless Charles VI declared before his assembled privy counsellors and ministers all his lands to be indivisible. In the case where the male Habsburg line should fail, this inheritance would fall to his own female line, and only thereafter to that of his brother, Joseph I. This so-called Pragma-tic Sanction enabled Maria Theresa to enter on her father’s legacy. Charles VI had invested a lot of money and time into the negotiations to gain international recognition of the Pragmatic Sanction. Prince Eugene of Savoy was of the opi-nion that he had done better to have left his daughter a strong army and a full treasury. On display is the ratification by the Estates of Lower Austria, 25th April,1720.

HHStA, Urkundereihe 1720 IV 25

17) Stamp for the seal of the Coat-of-Arms 1740

Stamp for the seal with Maria Theresa’s coat-of arms in 1740 after her accession as Queen of Hungary, Queen of Bohemia and Archduchess of Austria.Brass with wooden handle, Dm. 5 cm, Wax impression.HHStA, Typar Nr. 44

18) Charles Albert of Bavaria

Elector of Bavaria, here as Emperor Charles VII (1742-1745), “the Emperor without a home”. He received this nickname when Khevenhüller captured his capital of Munich two days after his coronation in Frankfurt.Painting by Georges Desmarées 1742, Schloss Nymphenburg.Reproduction

19) Note of Protest by the Elector of Bavaria 1740

Upon the sudden death of Charles VI on 20th October, 1740, Maria Theresa under the terms of the Pragmatic Sanction assumed the government of the Habs-burg lands. The position was extremely precarious. The acceptance of the Prag-matic Sanction was neither certain nor complete, and many of her subjects themselves doubted a young woman’s ability to rule. Who would protect the Austrian lands from their enemies?

A formal Note of Protest dated 3rd November, 1740, was lodged by the Elector Charles Albert of Bavaria, who was married to a cousin of Maria Theresa, Maria Amalia, a daughter of Joseph I. Neither Charles Albert nor his wife were incli-ned to waive their claims to the Habsburg inheritance. (The following year with the support of France, Charles Albert invaded Upper Austria.)

HHStA, FU 1904

20) Great Seal of Maria Theresa prior to 1745

Seal and wax impression of the Great Seal of Maria Theresa before the elec-tion of Francis Stephen as Emperor in 1745. Thereafter she bore the title of “Roman Empress” in her capacity as the Emperor’s consort and later as his widow (Empress Dowager). Her title was honorific, but nonetheless real for all that. Her power came from her position as Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, etc. (Dm. 12.2 cm)HHStA, Typar Nr. 39

21) The celebration of the “Te Deum” in the Court chapel 1740

After the Act of Homage in Vienna (see cat. No. 29), Maria theresa returned to the Hofburg where a Te Deum laudamus was sung in the Court chapel. The young ruler is sitting in the front on the left. Contemporary engraving.KHM-WBG

22) Medal with Maria Theresa’s motto and heraldic symbols

This medal shows the lion of Bohemia holding the double cross of Hungary and the red-white-red shield of Austria. Her Motto: IUSTITIA ET CLEMENTIA (Justice and Clemency). Such medals were used as gifts, as remembrances, and as awards of recognition.Silver, 47 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1833bß

23) The young ruler ca. 1745

A majestic Maria Theresa after having overcome the initial dangers to her throne. The left hand rests on the Austrian archducal crown next to the Crown of St. Stephen and the Crown of St. Wenceslas (Wenzel).Painting by Martin van Meytens, ca 1745.Reproduction

24) The Hungarian coronation in St. Martin’s Church, Pressburg (Bratislava) 1741

From the very beginning Hungary did not question Maria Theresa’s right of suc-cession. Nevertheless her coronation was preceded by some tough negotiations with the Hungarian Diet. Maria Theresa was annoyed that Francis Stephen was not accorded the rights of co-regency and was excluded from the ceremonies. On Sunday, 25th June, 1741, she left the castle of Pressburg for St. Martin’s Church where the Primate Archbishop and the Palatine placed St. Stephen’s Crown upon her head. Interestingly, Maria Theresa was crowned King of Hun-gary and hailed as Rex, although she bore the style of Queen in her titles.Contemporary engraving.GMFW

25) Medal for the coronation in Pressburg

Portrait “Maria Theresa Augusta”Bronze, 44 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 995/1914B

26) The Queen in coronation robes mounted on her horse 1741

After the coronation Maria Theresa was required to ride in full regalia up an arti-ficial hill formed from soil from every part of Hungary. Swinging a sword in all four points of the compass, she then swore to defend the borders of the Kingdom of Hungary. This engraving shows her on horseback in full regalia with Press-burg in the background. A hand from heaven places the crown of justice around her raised sword. A Hungarian kneels before her with Hungary’s response to her dramatic appeal on 11th September, 1741, engraved on his sword blade: Vitam nostram et sanguinem consecramus (We consecrate our lives and blood).Contemporary engraving.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf 132: (62)

27) Coronation medal 1741

Reverse of cat. No. 25. The Queen riding up the Royal Hill to swear to protect the borders of the kingdom.

Silver, 44 mm. KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1893bß

28) Allegory of the Queen of Hungary

Maria Theresa as Queen of Hungary with a Hungarian magnate at her feet. He has drawn his sword to defend her against her enemies. HUNGARIA DEVO-TISSIMA – most loyal Hungary. Maria Theresa was always conscious of her debt of gratitude to the Hungarians and would never allow any criticism of them.Engraving by Gottfried Bernhard Göz, ca. 1745.Münze Österreich

29) Homage of the Estates in Vienna 1740

In Vienna there was no coronation. At her accession the Estates of the heredi-tary lands paid a formal act of homage. On 22nd November, 1740, the Estates of Lower Austria swore their allegiance to her in Vienna. The Archduke’s Hat (archducal crown) was brought from Klosterneuburg for the occasion in a coach of its own. This engraving shows Maria Theresa in a sedan chair in procession through the Graben to St. Stephen’s cathedral accompanied by the representati-ves of the Estates. The empty coach behind her was for the return journey.Contemporary engraving.GMFW

30) Emperor Francis I

Francis Stephen in the imperial regalia of a Holy Roman Emperor for his coro-nation in Frankfurt, 1745.Painting by Wenzel Pohl, 1755.Reproduction

31) Imperial Election 1745

The reverse shows the imperial double-headed eagle perched on the globe (sym-bolising universal rule). The crown is that of the Holy Roman Empire.Bronze, 45 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 5951/1914B

32) Coronation in Frankfurt 1745

The reverse shows an altar with the crown and regalia on it. Above is the triangle of the Holy Trinity. DEO ET IMPERIO (For God and the Empire).Silver, 50 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1630bß

33) Election in Frankfurt

After the death of Charles VII, Francis Stephen was elected Roman Emperor. On 25th September, 1745, he was crowned King of the Romans in St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Frankfurt on Main. (The imperial coronation as Emperor was a prerogative of the Pope.) Maria Theresa attended her husband’s coronation, but refused to allow herself to be crowned with him as Empress. It is probable that she wanted her beloved husband to be the centre of attention without her for once. Frankfurt, of course, was en fete for this great event. The houses on the Römerberg on the way to the cathedral were especially illuminated and decora-ted for the occasion. This engraving shows such a house. As usual, the ground floor was a shop, in this case a book-seller.Contemporary engraving.GMFW

34) Allegory of the Empress

Maria Theresa as Romanorum Imperatrix (Roman Empress. In contrast to her other titles, she was not a reigning Empress, but as the consort of the Emperor Francis I Stephen she was entitled to bear the style of Empress. Frederick II alone refused to refer to her as “Empress”. To him she remained the Queen of Hungary. It is not a coincidence that the table bearing her different crowns is supported by the figure of an Hungarian magnate.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf 132: (41E2)

35) Decorative bit for the imperial horses 1749

This horse’s bit was part of some sumptuous bridle equipment belonging to the Empress. On each side is a portrait of the Emperor or herself underneath a crown. Below them is an eagle. The leather bridle and reins were covered with burgundy coloured velvet richly embroidered in silver.Anton Schey, Vienna, 1749.KHM-WBG, Inv. Nr. G 92

36) Emperor Francis I Stephen

The Emperor on horseback as head of his armies.Viennese porcelain c. 1755. Model by Johann Josef Niedermayer (1710-84).MMD, Inv. Nr. 067356

37) Golden cutlery from the imperial table

Knife, fork and spoon engraved with the imperial eagle and the combined shield of Lorraine-Austria. (Property of the imperial couple.)MMD, Inv. Nr. 180541

38) Maria Theresa 1743

Portrait of the young Queen.Silver, 86 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 146.841

39) The Queen of Bohemia

Maria Theresa in coronation regalia. The Crown of St. Wenceslas had to be brought to Prague from Vienna for the occasion. Bohemia was in the forefront of the wars between Austria and Prussia. The city of Prague was lost to the enemy three times, and three times it was recovered. Maria Theresa was fully aware of the importance of her position as Queen of Bohemia, even if she did confide to her Bohemian Chancellor, Count Kinsky, that the crown was not only heavy, but resembled a jester’s cap (Narrenkappe).Painting by Martin van Meytens (?)Reproduction.

40) The coronation procession into Prague 1743

At the end of April, 1743, Maria Theresa travelled to Prague for her coronation as Queen of Bohemia, which was set for 12th May. Maria Theresa entered Prague in a coach and proceeded in procession up to St. Vitus’s Cathedral, where she was crowned by the Archbishop of Olmütz, Count Jakob Liechten-stein.Contemporary engraving.GMFW

41) Medal commemorating the coronation in Prague

Portrait “Maria Theresa Augusta”.Pewter, 40 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 6515/1914B

Queen of Bohemia 1743

Maria Theresa in Bohemian coronation regalia. FELICITATIS PUBL. REPARATIOSilver, 40 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1937bß

42) The help of England 1743

Although England was no so anxious to go to war against Prussia, she did give Maria Theresa money for the war against France. This is an allegorical represen-tation of Neptune with Austria and Britannia etc. SECURITAS AUGUSTAE

Bronze, 80 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 52bß

43) „The Queen of Hungary stripped“

A Dutch version of an English cartoon in which Maria Theresa is the victim of her robber neighbours. ”What? Will you leave me nothing?” cries the Queen, while the King of France and Cardinal Fleury (his prime minister) grab at her clothing. Left is Spain with stocking (symbolising Italy?). George II of England sits there passively in his role as a neutral. Frederick II leaves with his booty through the door at the rear. “Do as you will now,” he says cynically. Etching 1742.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf 132: (90)

44) The Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) 1748

England had urged Maria Theresa to conclude peace with Frederick II on 25th

December, 1745, in the Peace of Dresden. The war in the west and in Northern Italy against France, however, continued. In 1748 a general peace was nego-tiated at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen). Although the Pragmatic Sanction and the imperial election of Francis Stephen were both recognised, Austria had to give up Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla in Italy, while the loss of Silesia to Prussia was confirmed. The Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed on 18th October, 1748. Austria signed it on 23rd October.Here the negotiator’s instrument of 23rd October, 1748, is displayed. Left is the signature of Kaunitz and to the right are those of the Earl of Sandwich and the British ambassador, Sir Thomas Robinson. This treaty concluded the War of the Austrian Succession.HHStA, AUR zu 1748 X 18

45) The Peace of Dresden 1745

England finally drove Maria Theresa to make peace with Prussia in the Peace of Dresden. (Saxony was Austria’s ally.)Obverse: three miniature portraits of Maria Theresa, August III of Saxony and Poland, and Frederick II of Brandenburg (Prussia).Silver, 44 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1906bß

Reverse: three allegorical figures (peace, justice and bliss) join hands in peace.Silver, 44 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1908bß

46) Ernst Gideon Baron von Laudon (1716-1790)

Laudon (Loudon) was descended from a Scottish family. He came to the Viennese Court in 1742, ironically enough after having his services rejected by Frederick II. He distinguished himself in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), especially in the relief of the besieged city of Olmütz in 1758. Other victories followed: Hochkirch, Kunersdorf, Landshut, Glatz and Schweidnitz. He was awarded the grand cross of the Maria Theresa Order. In 1766 he succeeded Daun as President of the Imperial (Court) War Council. He was appointed Field Mar-shal in 1778. His career continued under Joseph II, and Laudon died in 1790 just before his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian army.Engraving.KA, Bildsammlung, Sammlung Weihs-Starkenfels, Unv. Nr. 7656

47) The appointment of General Browne to the rank of Field Marshal 1754

Count Maximilian Ulysses Browne was descended from those Irish soldiers who preferred to place their swords in the service of the Catholic Habsburgs. Browne had already distinguished himself in service under Prince Eugene of Savoy. When the Prussians invaded Silesia in 1741, Browne and a small army of 3,000 soldiers were their only opponents until Vienna launched a counter-campaign under Count Neipperg. Browne was to remain one of Maria Theresa’s most talented and reliable generals. In 1754 she promoted him via this commis-sion to the rank of Field Marshal. Browne died on 27th June, 1757, in Prague.Signature of the Empress.KA, Bestallung 8901/1754

48) Maria Theresa as Minerva

The goddess Minerva (Athena to the Greeks) was the female counterpart to the war god Mars. It was to be expected that Maria Theresa would be depicted as Minerva, protectress of her peoples and her lands.Silver, 45 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1747bß

49) Founding of the Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt 1752

Mars is seen on a plinth in the middle. In the background is the building of the new academy.Silver, 50 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1722bß

50) The Battle of Prague 1757

At the end of August, 1756, some 60,000 Prussians marched into Saxony. Browne underestimated the threat of a Prussian invasion of Bohemia. In the second half of April, 1757, however, Frederick II set four armies marching in the direction of Bohemia. Maria Theresa sent her beloved brother-in-law, Karl of Lorraine, to take command of her troops opposing Prussia in bohemia. It came to a major battle on 6th May outside Prague. During the fighting Browne was seriously injured. His left leg was smashed by a cannon ball and later had to be amputated. Despite bitter resistance, the Prussians managed to split the Austrian forces and drive them into retreat. Browne barely escaped capture and was taken to refuge within the city of Prague. Maria Theresa urged her brother-in-law on no account to lose Prague to the enemy. (The city had been captured and re-captured three times.) From his sickbed Browne organised the defence of the Bohemian capital. Field Marshal Daun had already arrived in Bohemia and was raising a second army. Frederick gradually began with the investiture and bombardment of Prague. The Empress gave Daun a free hand, although she hoped Prague could be relieved without a pitched battle, which she feared they would lose. It came, however, to a battle at Kolin (east of Prague), from which the Austrians emerged as the victors,English engraving, FM Browne on horseback is in the left foreground.WGMF

51) An Austrian cuirass

A black cuirass for the foot soldiers, 2nd half of 18th century.HGM, Inv. Nr. 156

52) Austrian sword for a junior officer in the heavy cavalry

Sword and leather sheath for a junior officers in the heavy cavalry, c. 1769.HGM, Inv. Nr. NI 1062

53) Austrian flintlock with bayonet

A smooth bore front-loader with a tri-ribbed bayonet, c. 1745. HGM, Inv. Nr. W 1679

54) Soldiers of the reformed army

From upper left: “Obrist -- Obrist Lieutenant -- Obrist Wachmeister

Infantry from the new drill manual.KA, Mem. 4/200Reproduction.

55) Battle plan of the Battle of Kolin, 18th June, 1757

In 1756 Frederick II invaded Austria’s ally, Saxony. In Spring of 1757 he inva-ded Bohemia where he defeated Karl of Lorraine and Field Marshal Browne near Prague on 6th May. But on 18th June the Austrians under Field Marshal Daun bested Frederick in the bloody battle of Kolin not far from the capital. Fre-derick lost 13,000 men, and the Austrians lost 9,000. Frederick had to evacuate Bohemia. He was so depressed by his defeat that even contemplated suicide for a short time. In Vienna, by contrast, Maria Theresa rejoiced. “Le Monstre” had finally been beaten. Her reforms and her own unflinching courage had finally paid off. She called the day of victory “the birthday of the Monarchy” and she founded Maria Theresa Order to reward her brave soldiers.KA, Karten H IIIc 1430

56) Medal commemorating the victory at Kolin

The reverse shows Genius with the Austrian shield on a victory pile of Prussian flags and weapons, 18th December, 1757. MDCCLVII IVN. /D. XVIII.Anton Franz Wiedemann, bronze, 50 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 41.272/1914B

57) Letter of Maria Theresa to Count Daun 1758

Maria Theresa was brought the news of this magnificent victory over the Prus-sians on 20th June by Lieutenant von Vettes. She wrote to Count Daun, her vic-torious general: “

”On the first anniversary of this great victory (18th June, probably 1758) Maria Theresa wrote to Daun the letter here displayed, describing the day as “the birth-day of the Monarchy”:“

”

The remark “Birthday of the Monarchy” (upper right) seems to have been added after the letter had been completed. KA, AFA 1757/HA 6/333

58) Field Marshal Leopold Joseph Count Daun (1705-1766)

Daun served successful in the armies of Charles VI. and in 1739 he was made Lieutenant Field Marshal. In 1745 he married the daughter of Countess Fuchs, Mistress of the Household and confidante of Maria Theresa. It was a connection which certainly did not harm his career. Daun was the leading influence in the military reforms. As the celebrated victor of Kolin, he was awarded together with Karl of Lorraine the first Grand Cross of the new Maria Theresa Order. Daun also won the Battle of Maxen in 1759.Engraving.KA, Bildsammlung, Sammlung Weihs-Starkenfels, Inv. Nr. 7897

59) Austrian grenadier’s sabre

Grenadier’s sabre and leather sheath, c. 1765.HGM, without Inv. Nr.

60) The first investiture of the Maria Theresa Order 1757

Francis Stephen invests his brother Karl of Lorraine with the Grand Cross of the Maria Theresa Order. The Empress sits in the background as a proud spectator.Painting by Carl von Blaas, 1866.HGM, reproduction.

61) The Statutes of the military Maria Theresa Order 1758

As a direct consequence of her joy over the victory at Kolin (18th June, 1757) Maria Theresa decided to institute an order of military distinction. The new order was to bear her name and the Grand Master would be her husband, the Emperor Francis I Stephen, and afterwards the current Head of the House of Austria. The Chancellor of the Order’s Chapter was her State Chancellor, Count (later Prince) Wenzel von Kaunitz-Rietberg.

Already on 22nd June, 1757, Duke Karl of Lorraine and Count Leopold Daun were awarded the first Grand Crosses per cabinet order. Further awards of the Grand Cross and Knight’s Cross followed on 7th March, 1758. The first investi-ture ceremony took place in Field Marshal Daun’s camp near Skalitz on 23rd

April, 1758.

On 2nd December, 1758, the Emperor officially published the Statutes of the order in Vienna.HHStA, FU 1976/1,2

62) The Grand Cross

Sash and decoration of enamelled gold.End of 19th century, belonging to the Emperor Franz Joseph I himself (1848-1916) as Grand Master of the Order.HGM, IN 1921/26/NI9310

The case here is not an original case for the Grand Cross, but a special case belonging to the Emperor Franz Joseph. The case is numbered on the front to enable the first valet of the Emperor, Edward Ketterl, to locate each decora-tion according to a list. The Emperor was the regimental commander of many Austrian and foreign regiments, as well as bearer of many orders and decorati-ons. Court etiquette required him to dress correctly according to whom he was receiving (or visiting). Inside each case was a sketch (to be seen to the left on the inside of the lid) indicating the correct mode of wearing, so that Ketterl could always easily and correctly dress his master.

63) The Star of the Grand Cross

Silver, gold and enamel, mid-19th century.Also belonging to the Emperor Franz Joseph I.HGM, IN 1921/26/NI9129

64) The Knight’s Cross

Decoration and ribbon in a case.Gold and enamel, end of 19th century. Belonging to k.u.k. Generalmajor d.R.Ing. Baron Josef von Janecka (1867-1937).HGM, 1937/26/NI15720Major General von Janecka received the Knight’s Cross as Colonel of the Artil-lery Staff for his action as Artillery Group Commander and Artillery Chief of Staff in various army bodies during the May offensive against Italy in 1916. He was invested at the 180th investiture on 17th August, 1917.

65) Embroidered Star of the Grand Cross

Beginning of 19th century.HGM, IN 1996/26/309

66) The endowment of the Maria Theresa Order 1764

On 31st January, 1764, Maria Theresa signed this decree endowing the Order with a capital of 2,255,000 Gulden to ensure the payment of pensions to mem-bers of the Order. Even after the death of a member, his widow or any unprovi-ded orphans could still draw half the pension.Parchment with the signatures of the Empress and the State Chancellor, Count (Prince) Kaunitz-Rietberg, and seal.HHStA, FU 1998/1,2

67) Medal for the institution of the Maria Theresa Order 1757

The reverse shows an angel with a branch of victory and the Cross of the Order between trophies of war.Silver, 50 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 6482/1914B

68) Commander’s Cross

Decoration on a ribbon to hang at the collar in its case.Gold and enamel. F. Rothe & Neffe, end of 19th century.HGM, IN 1996/26/305

69) The Statutes of the Order of St. Stephen 1764

On 3rd April Joseph was crowned King of the Romans in Frankfurt. Maria The-resa chose this occasion to found on the 5th May, 1764, a counterpart to the mili-tary Maria Theresa Order which would recognise services in the civil sphere:

Thestatutes of the Order were written in Latin (Hungary’s language of state) and were published in Vienna on 6th May, 1764:

They envisaged 100 knights of the Order – 20 Grand Crosses, 30 Commander’s Crosses and 50 small Crosses.HHStA, Stephans-Orden Band 3

70) The Queen of Hungary 1743

A portrait that underlines the strength and imperial dignity of Maria Theresa.French engraving by Gilles Edmé Petit after Martin van Meytens, Paris 1743.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf 132: (29b) Abs.Bubl.

71) The first investiture of the Order of St. Stephen 1764

As the Grand Master of the Order, Maria Theresa awards the first Knight’s Cross and five Grand Crosses: Joseph II (newly crowned King), the Hungarian Pri-mate Count Barkoczy de Szala, the Palatine Count Batthyány, Court Chancellor Count Esterházy and Count Hatzfeld. In 1765 Joseph II himself became Grand Master of the Order.Painting by Martin van Meytens and his school.Reproduction

72) Grand Cross

Sash and decoration in case.Gold and enamel, c. 1900.HGM, IN 1969/26/NI71239/d, bzw. 2000/26/341

Belonging to k.u.k. Generaloberst Baron Karl von Pflanzer-Baltin (1855-1925), who received the last Grand Cross of the St. Stephen’s Order on 25th August, 1918.

73) Embroidered Star of the Grand Cross, c. 1800

HGM, IN 1921/26/NI9132

74) Star of the Grand Cross

Silver, gold and enamel. Beginning of 20th century.HGM, IN 1995/26/70

75) Commander’s Cross

Decoration on collar-ribbon.Gold and enamel. Beginning of 19th century.HGM, IN 1997/26/179

76) Small Cross

Decoration on triangular ribbon.Gold and enamel. F. Rothe & Neffe, end of 19th century.HGM, IN 1997/26/181

77) Collar of the Order

The chain bears the initials “MT” for Maria Theresa and “SS” for St. Stephen

with the Hungarian crown.Gold, bzw. gold and enamel. Second third of the 18th century (contemporary with the founding of the Order?)HGM. IN 1978/26/3

Belonging to k.u.k. Field Marshal (and last Commander in Chief of the k.u.k. Army) Baron Hermann Kövess von Kövesshaza (1854-1924). He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order on 14th August, 1918.

78) Wenzel Anton Count Kaunitz-Rietburg (1711-1794)

Kaunitz was born in Vienna in 1711. Like his father before him, he chose a career in the service of the Court. He studies abroad and at the age of 30 began his diplomatic career under Maria Theresa. He led the Austrian delegation to the peace conference at aix-la-Chapelle. In 1753 the Empress appointed him Court and State Chancellor in the Austrian lands. He kept this exalted office over a period of 39 years until 1792. He became the most important influence on Austrian foreign policy after the Empress herself. He was closely involved in the administrative reforms of the reign. Kaunitz today still overshadows Maria Theresa’s earlier ministers like Bartenstein and Haugwitz.

Personally Kaunitz was not well liked, but he never misused his power to pay back an adversary. The Englishman Swinburne maintained: “

” Kaunitz was unapproachable, vulnerable and proud. He was a hypochondriac. (When she was expecting him, the Empress herself would rush through the rooms to ensure that there were no open windows to cause a drau-ght.) He was a Francophile. In 1765 he was raise to the rank of a Prince of the Empire. Kaunitz exercised great influence on Maria Theresa and enjoyed her full confidence. Joseph II also placed great trust in him, and sometimes Kau-nitz found himself in a difficult position between the two monarchs, mother and son.

Painting of Kaunitz in the robes of the Order of the Golden Fleece with the star of the St. Stephen’s Order on his breast. Johann Baptist Lampi d.Ä.Reproduction

79) Diploma of Nobility

Niklas Elder von Paccassi, who was an architect in the imperial service (and was employed on Schönbrunn), was raised to the rank of a hereditary in 1769. The hand-painted page with his baronial coat-of-arms is decorated with those of

Austria and the imperial eagle (above), Hungary (left) and Bohemia (right). AVA, Urkundenreihe, Inv. Nr. 315

80) Great Seal, post 1765

Maria Theresa is enthroned under a canopy on two pillars. Among her titles around the edge we find: (Roman Empress Dowa-ger)Typar, Dm. 13 cm, and wax impression.HHStA, Typar Nr. 51

81) Founding of the House, Court and State Archives 1749

In the course of the administrative reforms after the War of the Austrian Succes-sion it wasdecided to create a new organisation and central depot for the most important documents pertaining to the dynasty and to the government. That was the foun-ding of the present House, Court and State Archives which are one of the most important and generous supporters of the exhibitions in the Austrian Mint. Here we have the request for direction by the first Privy House Archivist, Taulow von Rosenthal, on 13th September, 1749, concerning the establishment of the k.k. Private House Archive. HHStA, Kurrentakten Zl. 1 ex 1749

82) Maria Theresa as a widow 1770

Following the unexpected death of her husband in Innsbruck in 1765, which left her bereft und deeply shaken, Maria Theresa continued to wear only black widow weeds until her own death in 1780. This oil painting is based on a portrait by Joseph Ducreux, who originally came to Vienna to paint a portrait of Maria Antonia (Marie Antoinette) for the Court at Versailles.GMFW

83) Medal commemorating the death of Francis I Stephen 1765

The Emperor’s portrait was the work of Matthäus Donner.Silver, 48 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 16668

The second medal shows a portrait of the bereaved Empress. By I. Würth. F., silver, 48 mm. KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 133.179

84) Founding of the Family Welfare Fund 1765

Francis Stephen managed his money very ably. He made good investments and participated in successful trading ventures. Consequently he left Maria Theresa and Joseph a considerable fortune. A major part went to off-set the state debts. It was decided to employ the remainder to establish a fund at the monarch’s dis-posal to aid and support members of the imperial family who might need such support. (Of Maria Theresa’s eleven surviving children, seven were still younger than 20 years of age.) This family fund existed until the end of the Monarchy. After the First World War it was confiscated by the Republic.

Signatures of Joseph II and Maria Theresa. Black wax was used for the seals in mourning for the late Emperor. Maria Theresa continued to wear black and use paper with black mourning edges and seals for her personal correspondence until her death in 1780. HHStA, FU 2016/1

85) New organisation of the Imperial War Council 1762

In 1762 Count Daun was appointed President of the Imperial (Court) War Coun-cil. On 25th January he submitted a proposal for the re-organisation of the Impe-rial War Council into three main areas: military advice, military justice and mili-tary economy. In this letter to Count Daun on 30th January, 1762, the Empress approved his new organisation plans.KA, HKR 1762, Jänner 698, fol. 4-11

86) Founding of the War Invalids’ Home in Vienna 1750

Maria Theresa valued the services of all the soldiers who fought to defend her and her lands. For the invalids of the army she had a hospital and a home built in the area of today’s Landstraße. Reverse: A wounded soldier lies at the foot of some war trophies. In the back-ground the new home can be seen. PROVIDENTIA AUGUSTAE.Bronze.Sammlung Artmüller Obverse: The imperial double-headed eagle with the full coat-of-arms. Silver, 60 mm KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1697bß

87)Plan of a new school with an apartment for the teacher

Sketch of a plan for a village school with a teacher’s living quarters (Trivial-schule).AVA, Inv. Nr. 89

88) Tobacco case, a gift to van Swieten from Maria Theresa.

The personal physician of the Empress received this valuable tobacco case from his grateful mistress. Gerard van Swieten not only looked after Maria Theresa’s health, but was her trusted advisor in the reform of the studies of medicine and natural sciences. Ebony with gold decoration. 84 x 63 x 34 cm.Stiftsmuseum Klosterneuburg, Inv. Nr. KG 483

89) Baron Gerard van Swieten (1700-1772)

Gerard van Swieten was born in 1700 in Leiden. In 1744 he came to Maria Theresa’s attention as the doctor attending her sister, Maria Anna (wife of Karl of Lorraine) in Brussels. She gave birth to a stillborn child and a few months later Maria Anna herself passed away. Despite that van Swieten was summoned to Vienna to become Maria Theresa’s personal physician. Although he was not himself a brilliant practicioner, he became the driving force in the reform and development of medicine in Vienna and of the universities and schools of higher learning throughout Austria. In fact he became a sort of unofficial “Minister of Education”. He enjoyed the complete trust and loyal support of the Empress.Contemporary portrait.Reproduction

90) The new school regulations of 6th December, 1774

What van Swieten was for higher education, Baron Joseph von Sonnenfels was in the area of lower schooling. (He also advised the empress in matters of reform in the judiciary.) Sonnenfels wanted every small village to have its school. The “

” of 1774 regula-ted school organisation, compulsory schooling and teacher training. Three types of school were established: Trivial with two classes for small towns and mar-kets, Principal with three classes for larger towns and convents, and Normal with four classes for the main towns in each province. The curriculum consisted of several subjects, their number varying with the size of school. Compulsory schooling was not formally introduced as such, but a general teaching obliga-tion.AVA

91) Theresian road construction map

Road construction and the improvement of the lines of communication within the Monarchy were important prerequisites for an efficient, centralised state.

Extensive road construction was one of Maria Theresa’s projects. The signi-ficance for trade, for government and for the defence of the realm needs no emphasis.AVA, Inv. Nr. 1957

92) A hawker of maps c. 1750

An old Viennese figure of c. 1750. (Modern reproduction) WPMA

93) Map of the harbour town of Trieste 1750

Trieste placed itself voluntarily under Austria’s protection in 1382. Emperor Charles VI tried to start an infant naval force, but could not finance it. Maria Theresa was too preoccupied with the reform of the army and the state and the wars against Prussia to give any attention (or money) to a navy. It fell then to Joseph II to be the actual founder of the Austrian Navy. Despite everything, Trieste continued to grow in importance as a trade harbour for the Monarchy and northern Europe.AVA, Inv. Nr. 1218

94) Maria Theresa with her four surviving sons

The Empress Dowager with (l. to r.) (Grand Duke of Tuscany, later Emperor), Ferdinand Karl Anton (Duke of Modena), Joseph II (Emperor)and Maximilian Franz (Archbishop of Cologne and Imperial Elector).By J.L. Maurice.Reproduction

95) A water glass for the personal use of the Empress

A Venetian water glass used regularly by Maria Theresa. It was later given by van swieten to the Augustinian Canon, Perger.Fine Venetian glass, 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm.Stiftsmuseum Klosterneuburg, Inv. Nr. KG 387b

96) St. Nicholas’s Day in the Imperial Family 1763

This charming scene of family life was painted by the daughter, Archduchess Marie Christine. The boy crying because he got a birch rod instead of sweets, is Archduke Ferdinand. The sister giving him the birch rod in his shoe is Marie Christine herself. The girl with the doll is Marie Antoinette and the little boy is Archduke Maximilian. The Emperor Franz Stephen sits reading a letter in his

dressing gown attended by his wife, Maria Theresa.Gouache on paper, 1763.Reproduction

97) Medal for the birth of the Archduke Joseph 1741

Portraits of Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen facing one another. The baby head of Joseph appears between them.Pewter, 43 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 6473/1914B

98) Rock crystal cruet from a set belonging to the Empress

A cruet from the rock crystal service which Maria Theresa’s grandson, Arch-duke francis (later Francis II/I) received as a memento under the terms of the Empress’s will.Cut rock crystal with gold mounting, c. 1710.MMD, Inv. Nr. 180516

99) Submission by Minister Bartenstein on the history studies of Archduke Joseph

Baron Johann Christoph von Bartenstein (portrait hanging on the wall of the exhibition) was a minister whom Maria Theresa inherited from her father. After an initial lack of sympathy, he became one of her most trusted (and able) coun-sellors. Before the advent of Kaunitz, he was probably the most important advi-sor on foreign affairs. Here we have Bartenstein’s submission to the Emperor Francis I Stephen on the content and organisation of Archduke Joseph’s history studies. History was regarded as an important subject for a future ruler.13th July, 1753, with the Emperor’s “ ” (approval) in his own hand. HHStA, Familienakten Karton 54

100)Archduchess Marie Christine

The Archduchess Marie Christine was born in 1742 and was reputedly the favo-urite daughter of the Empress. She was a gifted painter and painted the family scene cat. No. 96 above. She later married Duke Albert-Kasimir von Sachsen-Teschen and died in 1798.Reproduction

101) Waitress with a chess board c. 1750

Old Vienese figure c. 1750. (Modern reproduction)WPMA

102) Archduchess Maria Carolina

Born in 1752, she was the third daughter of Maria Theresa to bear this name. Both other sisters before her died in the year of their birth, 1740 and 1748 respectively. Maria Carolina was gifted at drawing and painting like her sister, Marie Christine. In 1768 she married Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies. She died in 1814.Reproduction

103) Gardening scissors belonging to Maria Theresa

The Empress was not disinclined to a bit of gardening. There are even pictures of her in the gardens. These are a pair of scissors for cutting flowers which belonged to Maria Theresa and were in her personal use. A gift from van Swie-ten to canon Perger.Metal, silver-plated.Stiftsmuseum Klosterneuburg, Inv. Nr. KG 387c

104) The Dowager Empress

This French engraving is based on the portrait by Joseph Ducreux, who origi-nally came to Vienna (1769) paint a portrait of the Archduchess Maria Antonia (Marie Antoinette) for the French Court.Engraving by Louis Jacques Cathelin.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Ptf 132: (66a)

105) The “Du Paquier” Tea Service c. 1740

A small cup and saucer with a painted flower design from the imperial tea ser-vice.Porcelain – “Du Paquier”, c. 1740.MMD, Inv. Nr. 180709

106) Archduchess Maria Antonia

Better known as Marie Antoinette, she was the youngest daughter and the second youngest child. Although she was chosen as the future bride of the Dau-phin (later King Louis XVI), her education left much to be desired.. Maria The-resa was all too well aware of her daughter’s deficiencies. In 1770 at the age of

14 she was married per proxy in Vienna and then sent as tothe French Court, for which she was ill prepared. Four years later she was the Queen of France. She died tragically in 1793 during the French Revolution.Reproduction.

107) Medal for the recovery of the Empress from small pox 1767

Maria Theresa was not spared an almost fatal dose of small pox. She became infected while comforting her pox-stricken daughter-in-law, Josepha (second wife of Joseph II).It was greatly feared for her life. The epidemic spread throughout Vienna. The Archduchess Josepha died. As Maria Theresa recovered from the terrible disease, there was general rejoicing throughout the Monarchy.Reverse: A nun with incense kneeling before an altar. DEO CONSERVATORI AUGUSTAESilver, 46 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1771bß

108) Porcelain vase from France

Probably a gift from Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XVI, who help influence him to an alliance with Austria in 1756 prior to the outbreak of the Seven Years’ War. By this Austria allied with France while England joined Prussia. Madame de Pompadour was pro-Austrian and she certainly influenced the King behind the scenes. Maria Theresa avoided direct contact with the royal mistress, but allowed a valuable portrait of herself to be sent to the Pompadour. This vase appears to have been part of the return gift from Madame de Pompadour to the Empress. Porcelain with gilded bronze mountings, France 1740-1750.MMD, Inv. Nr. 038355

109) “L’Ipermestra” by J.A. Rhasse 1744

An opera by Johann Adolf Hasse commissioned by Maria Theresa on the occa-sion of marriage of her sister Maria Anna to Karl of Lorraine in 1744. Libretto, Vienna.GMFW, Inv. Nr. 9017/Tb

110) Cantata for the Empress’s birthday

A cantata by Georg Christoph Wagenseil for Maria Theresa’s birthday, perfor-med by her daughters, Maria Carolina and Maria Antonia (Marie Antoinette).

All the children in the imperial family were taught to sing and to play two musical instruments. Performances before the Court were a frequent feature of family life. Autograph score from the Music Collection of Archduke Rudolph.GMFW, Inv. Nr. VI 15380 (A 440)

As of 23rd October: (replacing the above cantata for reasons of conservation)

Ten Cantatas by Antonio Caldara

Commissioned by the Empress Elizabeth Christine (Maria Theresa’s mother), in which the (then) Archduchess Maria Theresa played the part of Clarice.Autograph score from the Music Collection of Archduke Rudolph.GMFW, Inv. Nr. VI 16570 (A 404)

111) Maria Theresa and her family in 1776

Marie Christine and her husband, Duke Albert of Sachsen-Teschen, show the Empress and the other children works of art from the Italian trip. (f.l.t.r.) Marie Christine, Albert of Sachsen-Teschen, Archduke Maximilian Franz, Archdu-chess Maria Anna, Archduchess Maria Elizabeth, the Empress in her black widows garb, and Joseph II.Painting by Friedrich Heinrich Füger, 1776.Reproduction

112) Medal of the children 1759

Archduke Joseph is in the centre, surrounded by a circle of his brothers and sisters. Joseph was not popular with his brothers and sister, and he had no parti-cular fondness for them. Interestingly, despite their differences and mutual exas-peration with each other, very real bonds of love existed between the Empress and her eldest son. Maria Theresa could always separate her disapproval for cer-tain views or actions from the love she held for the person in question.Bronze, 90 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 17499/1914B

113) “Alceste. Tragedia per Musica.” by C.W. Gluck

Libretto of an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck (originally one of Maria Theresa’s music teachers) with a dedication to the Empress, 1767.GMFW, Inv. Nr. 2486/Tb/1 bzw. Tb/4

114) Three Cantatas by Antonio Caldara

A cantata by Antonio Caldara “”

Autograph score from the Music Collection of Archduke Rudolph.GMFW, Inv. Nr. III 16138 (A 394)

As of 23rd October: ( )

“Le Lodi d’Augusto. Festa di Camera..., 1734”Maria Theresa (still a princess) sang the part of Urania before her parents and the Court.From the Music Collection of Archduke Rudolph.GMFW, Inv. Nr. III 16137 (A 399)

115) The Palace of Schönbrunn by Canaletto

Nothing is associated so much today with the great Empress more than her Palace of Schönbrunn. It was her decision that the imperial hunting lodge of Schönbrunn (designed by Fischer von Erlach) should be rebuilt and extended into a Summer palace for the imperial family and her Court. She commissio-ned the architect Nicolaus Pacassi (Paccassi) with the work. (

.) The palace was painted 1758/61 by Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780), better known as Canaletto.Reproduction

116) Portrait of the Empress, medal of 1888

Obverse of the medal struck to celebrate the unveiling of the Maria Theresa Monument an the Ringstrasse ao 13th May, 1888. (See cat. No. 147)Bronze, Anton Scharff, 1888.Münze Österreich

117) Maria Theresa as patroness of the arts

Contemporary allogorical depiction of Maria Theresa as the great patroness. A kneeling figure of Austria (?) presents her with a scroll.WBM, reproduction

118) Schönbrunn by Canaletto

Maria Theresa loved Schönbrunn and it became her favourite residence. Here Canaletto has painted the view from the garden side. (1758/61)Reproduction

119) The coronation procession of Archduke Joseph as King of the Romans 1764

As was customary in the House of Habsburg, Francis I Stephen saw to the elec-tion of his son and heir as King of the Romans before his own death. Accordin-gly, Joseph would succeed him as Emperor without the risk of a new election. On 3rd April, 1764, father and son proceeded in a splendid procession through the Römerberg in Frankfurt to Joseph’s coronation in St. Batholomew’s Church. Out picture is an extract from a much larger work. The Emperor Francis I Ste-phen rides ahead wearing the Austrian house crown of Rudolph II (later the crown of the Austrian Empire). Joseph follows wearing the Archduke’s Hat that was made specially for him. He was crowned, of course, with the crown of the Holy Roman Empire. Painting from the school of Martin van Meytens.Reproduction

120) Profile portrait of Joseph II

Artist unknown, brass. 19th century (?)Tattersall collection

121) The Document of Co-Regency for Joseph II 1765

The election and coronation of Joseph as King of the Romans in 1764 had ensured the succession. As his father, Francis I Stephen, then unexpectedly died in Innsbruck on 18th August, 1765, Joseph automatically succeeded him as Emperor. The bereft Maria Theresa at first thought of withdrawing from govern-ment herself, but Kaunitz quickly talked her out of that. The new Emperor was totally without any power base, so it was decided to grant Joseph the co-regency in the Austrian hereditary lands. In fact Maria Theresa retained the upper hand, through her own strong personality and experience, and through the fact that most of the ministers and counsellors were men. She did occasionally give way (as in the division of Poland), but normally it was Joseph who was resentful at being held in tutelage by his mother.The title page shows the shield of Austria, the imperial eagle, the Bohemian lion and the double (patriarchal) cross of Hungary in a beautifully drawn frame-work. Parchment book, 17th September, 1765.HHStA, FU 2013/1

122) The co-regents 1765

A double portrait of Joseph II and Maria Theresa on the occasion of the accor-

ding the co-regency to the new Emperor.Silver, 60 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 1867bß

123) The coffee service “Maria Theresa” by Augarten Porcelain

This pattern of flowers in green was originally designed for a service that was a gift to Maria Theresa for a hunting lodge. Since then the pattern has borne her name and it is still produced today by Augarten Porcelain. In 1744 Maria The-resa placed the insolvent Vienna Porcelain Manufacture under state supervision. From this time onwards they were permitted to use the Austrian shield and the crown as a trademark. WPMA

124) The so-called “Coffee Memorandum”

The Empress often worked on her papers and memoranda at the breakfast table. One day she had an unfortunate accident and knocked over the coffee pot, spil-ling coffee over the document she was working on. Someone else would have contented themselves with having a servant mop up the spilt liquid and have turned to other matters. (After all she was the Empress!) But Maria Theresa would allow no-one to bear the blame of her own carelessness. She wrote a spontaneous apology on the paper: “ ”KA

For conservation reasons the “Kaffee Akt” will only be displayed in the original until 30th September, 2001. As of 1st October a facsimile will be on display.

125) The chocolate maid c. 1750

Old Viennese figure, c. 1750.Modern Reproduction.WPMA

126) The first letter from Marie Antoinette to her mother from Versailles 1770

At the age of 14 Marie Antoinette was married to the Dauphin, the later King Louis XVI of France. She travelled from Vienna to Versailles in April/May, 1770. On 9th July, 1770, she wrote her first letter home to her mother. She descri-

bed the life at Court and the attempts of the King’s mistress, Madame Dubarry, to get some sign of recognition and acceptance from her. (Marie Antoinette’s persistent refusal to speak to Dubarry caused a diplomatic storm between Ver-sailles and Vienna.)

Maria Theresa knew of the unsatisfactory preparation of her youngest daughter for the throne, and she appears to have had a guilty conscience over it. She knew that Marie Antoinette tended to be flighty and superficial. This hand-written letter with its sloppy penmanship testifies to this fact. Later letters were written by a secretary.HHStA, Sammelbände Kt 3/12

127) Bust of Marie Antoinette

A bronze copy of the bust made by F. Lecomte in 1783. The Queen wears a medallion with the likeness of Louis XVI.Bronze, 19th century.Münze Österreich

128) Medal for the marriage of Marie Antoinette to the Dauphin Louis 1770

The marriage took place via proxy (Joseph stood in for Louis) in Vienna on 19th

April, 1770, and was repeated ceremoniously in Versailles on 16th May. This medal was fashioned by Anton Franz Wiedemann on the occasion of the mar-riage in Vienna.

The obverse has a portrait of the young Archduchess Maria Antonia, from now on the Dauphine Marie Antoinette. Silver.The reverse depicts the figure of an angel with two laurel crowns and Fortuna before an altar. Bronze.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 7944bß and 17975/1914B

129) Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette 1781

The two royal portraits facing one another.Silver, 60 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 7883bß

130) La Reine de France by Madame Vigée-Lebrun

Marie Antoinette as Queen. A portrait by Madame Vigée-Lebrun.Reproduction

131) Queen of France and Navarre

A medal with a portrait of Marie Antoinette by Du Vivier in 1781 on the one side, and Louis XVI on the other. Her elaborate hair style in the mode of the Court at that time is particularly noticeable. Bronze, 70 mm. 19th century.Tattersall collection.

132) Table Service with the “green bands”

A plate, a salt dish and a double dish for seasoning from a service which Louis XVI gave to his brother-in-law Joseph II in 1777. The Emperor had travelled incognito to Paris as “Count Falkenstein” to visit his sister and his brother-in-law, King Louis XVI. After seven years of marriage the royal union was still childless, and Joseph had undertaken the delicate task of persuading the French King to undergo a small “operation” (in which he indeed succeeded). This pre-sent from Louis had to be made through the Austrian ambassador, since the incognito Emperor was not officially there. (The French Court muttered that the Emperor hadn’t brought any comparable gift in exchange.) Manufacture Vincennes and Sèvres, 1756-1757, fine painted porcelain.MMD, Inv. Nr. 180529

133) Archduke Maximilian visiting Versailles

This picture shows Maximilian visiting the Court of his sister in Versailles. Louis is standing in the middle next to his wife. Shortly afterwards he was follo-wed the elder brother, Joseph II, incognito as “Count Falkenstein”. His mission was to get his sister and brother-in-law to finally produce an heir to the French Crown.Reproduction

134) Triumphal wagon of Maria Theresa and Joseph II 1773/75

A giant triumphal wagon in the Baroque style. Beneath the great imperial crown Maria Theresa and Joseph II are seated. In the lower areas are nine of the child-ren accompanied by antique gods. Probably produced on the occasion of the millennium celebrations for St. Romuald in 1775.Engraving by Johann Baptiste Klauber, c. 1773/75.KHM-WGB, Inv. Nr. Z 120

135) The vegetable seller ca. 1750

and

Roast chicken salesman ca. 1750

Modern reproductions.WPMA

136) The Peace of Teschen 1779

The Elector Max Joseph of Bavaria (son of Charles Albert) died childless. His heirs were the Elector Charles Theodore of the Palatinate (also childless) and after him, Duke Charles of Pfalz-Zweibrücken, a protege of France. In return for his imperial agreement to this arrangement, Joseph II demanded compensa-tion from Bavaria, and had his troops occupy Landshut and Straubing in Lower Bavaria. This crisis is known as the . In July, 1778, Prussian troops again invaded Bohemia and Joseph had to withdraw his forces from Bavaria. Maria Theresa gratefully accepted the offers of France and Russia to mediate. In the winter of 1779 a diplomatic congress met at Teschen. Austria received the Innviertel from Bava-ria. The succession of the Elector Palatine and the Duke of Zweibrücken was assured. With the exception of Joseph II, everyone was satisfied.

On exhibition here is the memorandum of 6th May,1779, by Kaunitz on the peace agreement with the Empress’s handwritten “ ” and her praise and thanks to Kaunitz.HHStA, Staatskanzlei Vorträge Kt 129

(in large display case.)

The figure of an infantry officer in the Regiment Jung Colloredo-Waldsee in white uniform with red facing and a three-cornered hat. (One goal of Daun’s army reforms was the standardisation of uniforms and drills between the regi-ments, which were often privately raised and equipped.) The officers holds a

in his hand, originally a defence against a mounted attacker. HGM

137) Quill pen belonging to Maria Theresa

Maria Theresa wrote many of her letters in her own hand (virtually all personal or private correspondence). She wrote her comments on all the memoranda and papers submitted to her. Here is one of the goose quills she used. It was a gift from van Swieten to Canon Perger.Goose Quill, 16.5 cm long.Stiftsmuseum Klosterneuburg, Inv. Nr. KG 387d

138) The Empress’s last letter 1780

A couple of days prior to her death on 29th November, Maria Theresa wrote a last letter to her son, Peter Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany (later Emperor Leopold II). The letter is in French and clearly shows that the Empress was expecting her death imminently.

(with news of her impending death)impression which his mission will have had on you, since

I know the greatness of your devotion to me; judge then my concern. You are of Christian convictions and virtuous; that comforts me just as the fact that you always find your happiness in yourselves. May God look after you. Myself, I give you both and your ten lovely children my blessing. Maria Theresa”HHStA, Familien-Korrespondenz A, Kt. 37

139) Maria Theresa’s last day, 29th November, 1780

Mortally ill, hardly able to breathe, the Empress sits surrounded by some of her children and Court officials. Joseph II kneels beside her. The Archduchess Maria Anna described the end of the great monarch and mother as follows:„3 hours before her death Störck brought a mixture. She smiled and said: I thank you, this is intended merely to keep me going, I shall not take it.....Five minutes before her death she struggled from her chair and took a few steps as far as her chaise longue, where she collapsed. They laid her on it as well as they could. She was still able to help herself. The Emperor said: Your Majesty is lying very ill ( uncomfortably). Yes, she said, but well enough to die. She took another three or four breaths and departed.”Johann Hieronymus Löschenkohl, Vienna, 1780.ÖNB-BA, 185 177/2, Pft 132: (88)

140) Her last will and testament (15th October, 1780)

Exhibited here is a codicil in the Empress’s hand and signed on 1st August, 1778, in which the Empress instructs the members of her family not to attend the public ceremonies of her funeral. (A wish that could not be followed by all.) Maria Theresa was anxious to spare them the strain and sorrow of a public burial.Two remarks on the envelop: “ ” (handwriting of Maria Theresa) and “ ” (handwriting of Joseph II)HHStA, FU 2095

141) Notice of Court Mourning 1780

This printed bill “” lays down the regulations for the six months period of mourning

at the Vienna Court.HHStA, ÄZA Karton 90

142) Order of prayer in the Court chapel during the Empress’s last illness

During her last days the 40 hours prayer was held for Maria Theresa in the Court chapel. This document sets out the schedule of who should attend the chapel at which times.HHStA, ÄZA Karton 90

143) Design for a memorial of mourning in St. Stephen’s cathedral

Draft of the wooden memorial which was erected in St. Stephen’s to the perpe-tual memory of the Empress on 28th January, 1781.WBM

144) The order of procession for the funeral

Maria Theresa was buried on 2nd December after lying-in-state in the Court chapel. The funeral procession proceeded from the Hofburg through the then “Augustiner Gang” to the imperial crypt in the Capuchin Church.HHStA, ÄZA Karton 90

145) A lock of the Empress’s hair

This lock of Maria Theresa’s hair was presented to Canon Perger by Gerard van Swieten.In the original case.Stiftsmuseum Klosterneuburg, Inv. Nr. KG 387 a

146) The baroque double sarcophagus in the Imperial Crypt

After the death of Francis Stephen, which hit the Empress very hard, she com-missioned a magnificent double sarcophagus in the Rococo style from Balthasar Moll. The Empress visited the imperial crypt regularly to pray at her husband’s tomb. In her later years she found the steps too difficult and the Capuchins rigged up a kind of chair-lift for her. The last visit was on All-Souls’ Day, 2nd November, 1780. As they tried to raise the Empress, the lift stuck. “

” joked the Empress. Her bearers were summoned to carry up via the stairs. “

!” Maria Theresa continued to joke, but with perhaps a premonition of her pending death.

The tomb shows the imperial couple awakening on the last day and turning to each other. An angel with a trumpet holds a crown of stars above their heads. On the sides are scenes from their lives: the entrance into Florence in 1739 and Francis Stephen’s coronation in Frankfurt in 1745, or Maria Theresa’s ride up the Royal Hill in Pressburg in 1741 and her coronation in Prague in 1743. Four mourning women sit at the corners with the crowns and arms of the Empire, Hungary, Bohemia and Jerusalem.

Maria Theresa was placed in the tomb beside her beloved husband in the eve-ning of 2nd December, 1780.Contemporary drawings. Reproductions.WBM

147) The medal for the unveiling of the Maria Theresa Monument 1888

The Emperor Franz Joseph had a monument to the Empress erected between the twin museums (Art History and Natural History) on the Ringstrasse in 1888.Reverse: Maria Theresa on a throne surrounded by her ministers and generals.Bronze, 64 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 134.609

148) The urn for the Empress’s heart

After death the hearts of the Habsburgs were placed in St. Augustine’s Church, their intestines in St. Stephen’s and their bodies in the imperial crypt in the Capuchin Church. This is a photo of the urn for the Empress’s heart in the Augustinian crypt.Photo. WBM, Inv. Nr. 23

149) “Denis Klage auf den Todt Marien Theresiens”

A lament on her death. Music by Leopold Kozeluch.Vienna, Artaria.GMFW, Inv. Nr. VI 12544 (Q6318)

150) “Erste Vorlesung welche Herr Hofrath von Sonnenfels nach dem Tode Marien Theresien hielt, 1781”

Public reading by Sonnenfels after her death.WBM, Inv. Nr. 9

151) Money at the time of Maria Theresa

Always left to right:

1st row - Silver coins:

Convention Taler 1766 ½ Taler 1767 Crowns Taler 1768 ½ Crowns Taler 1768 Madonna Taler 1780 (Hungary)

2nd row - Gold coins:

¼ ducat 1752 (silver) Souverain d’or 1755 (Antwerp) 2 ducats 1776 (Transylvania) 1 ducat 1778

3rd row - Silver coins:

30 Kreuzer Obvs. 1769 Rvs. 1765 20 Kreuzer Obvs. and Rvs, 1768 15 Kreuzer (Hungary) 1745 6 Kreuzer 1743 3 Kreuzer (Groschen) 1776

4th row - Copper coins:

Poltura Obvs. 1765 Rvs. (Madoona) 1763 Kreuzer 1762 Obvs. Vienna Rvs. Prague Greschl 1760

5th row - Copper coins.

½ Kreuzer Obvs. and Rvs. without date Pfennig (penny) Obvs. 1765 Rvs. 1764

152) Circular introducing the first banknotes, so-called Banco-Zettel, 1762

Samples of the first Austrian banknotes: 5 Gulden, 10 Gulden, 25 Gulden. (Later samples were crossed through in order to prevent people from cutting them out and passing them off as originals.)Münzhandel Weywoda

153) Sample Banco-Zettel for 1,000 Gulden 1771

This sample bears the above mentioned cancellation lines.Münzhandel Weywoda

154) The Vienna Mint 1753

In 1753 Maria Theresa purchased the Winter Palais of Prince Eugene of Savoy (today’s Ministry of Finance). The mint was accommodated there until 1837. (See too the arms hanging above the entrance. They, too, come from the old Mint.Contemporary engraving.Tattersall collection.

155) Imperial visit to the Vienna Mint 1754

This medal was struck on the occasion of Maria Theresa’s official visit to the minz.Reverse: A youth with coin scales between a melting oven and a screw press.Silver, 45 mm.KHM-MK, Inv. Nr. 6477/1914B

156) Blank production and milling the metal strip at the mint.

The strip is rolled to the right thickness and the blanks are punched out.Engraving.Tattersall collection

The Maria Theresa Taler (Levantine Taler)

On 23rd September, 1753, Austria concluded a Coin Convention with Bavaria, which laid

Coins were struck throughout the realm during Maria Theresa’s reign, for example in Vienna, Kremnitz, Prague, Graz, Karlsburg, Hall, Nagybanya Günzburg, Antwerp and

standards, and because the raised edge lettering prevented people from shaving silver from a coin unnoticed. After her death, Joseph II gave permission to continue minting the last Taler (1780) from the Günzburg mint (today in Bavaria). This coin became the most widespread

currency in some countries until well into the 1950s and 1960s. It may still be found in the bazaars of the Middle East today, frequently made into necklaces and other pieces of jewellery.

The Austrian Mint in Vienna still strikes and sells this coin today. It is probably the world’s most famous silver coin.

Mint in Günzburg:

157) Taler 1765 (without the widow’s veil). S.C. (Schöbl/Clotz)

158) Taler 1770 (with widow’s veil) S.C.

159) Taler 1780 (prototype for the famous restrike) S.F. (Schöbl/Faby)

160) 1780 restrike, 1783-95

161) 1780 restrike, 1789-92

162) 1780 restrike, 1792-1805 (Günzburg closed production in 1805)

Mint in Vienna:

163) Taler 1767 (with veil) I.C. S.K. (Johann Cronberg/ Sigismund Klemmer)

164) Restrike of the Günzburg Taler, 1780-1790. I.C. F.A. (Johann Cronberg/ Franz von Aycherau)

165) Restrike 1795-1853. I.C. F.A.

166) Restrike ca. 1920. “ARGHID” instead of “ARCHID”

Other Mints:

167) Milan 1790-1802

168) Milan 1815-28 (the Bohemian crown and the tail feathers differ to cat. No. 167)

169) Milan 1828-40

170) Venice 1817-33

171) Venice 1840-66 (small cross after 1780)

172) London 1930-61 (2 instead of 3 middle tail feathers.)

173) Bombay 1940-41

174) Bombay gold version (unique)

175) Paris 1937-42

176) Rome 1935-39 (Dolfuß licensed Mussolini to mint in Rome for the Abyssinian War)

Countermarks:

177) China ca. 1920

178) Ethiopia ca. 1900 (sun)

179) Quaiti 1889-1900

180) Madeira ca. 1880 (royal arms of Portugal)

181) Hejaz and Turkey 1876 (tax stamp)

182) Hejaz and Nejd ca. 1926

183) Yemen ca. 1906-20

184) Yemen 1948-62

185) Austrian Numismatic Society 1995

186) Arabian pendant

187) Maria Theresa Taler rolled through a press

188) Double-headed eagle sawn out by hand

The pictures around the walls:

1. Shield of the old mint 1753

Münze Österrech

2. Maria Theresa Taler in the world

Mints and areas of circulation.KHM-MK

3. Maria Theresa ca 1750

In blue gown with the crowns of Hungary and BohemiaUnknown Austrian artist.HGM, Öl/Lw., EB 1975-67, S 15112

4. Francis I Stephen ca. 1750

In Spanish Court dress.Unknown artist. HGM, Öl/Lw., EB 1975-68

5. Coronation in St Vitus‘s Cathedral

(Above the display case left)Maria Theresa kneels before the high altar of St. Vitus‘s Cathedral . Engraving after Joannes Joseph Dietzler.GMFW

6. Baron von Bartenstein

One of the first and most trusted Ministers.Unknown artist.HHStA

7. Wenzel Anton Prince Kaunitz-Rietberg

The great statesman. Chancellor for 39 years.Artist unknown.HHStA.

8. Empress and Queen Maria Theresa

Portrait by Martin van Meytens.Gemäldegalerie der Akadamie der Bildenden Künste.Reproduction

9. Francis I Stephen lying-in-state 1765

Unknown Austrian artist.KHM-GG, Inv. Nr. 2188

10. The Imperial Family ca. 1754

From the school of Martin van Meytens.Reproduction

11. The Dowager Empress

Unknown artist (after Joseph Decreux?)HHStA

12. Joseph and his brother Peter Leopold

Rome in the background. A painting by Pompeo Batoni, commissioned by theEmpress during the meeting of the two brothers in Italy.Reproduction

The Star of the Grand Cross

of the Maria Theresa Order

(description cat No. 63)

Maria Theresia, von Gottes Gnaden römische Kaiserin, Wittib, Königinn zu Hungarn, Böheim, Dalmatien, Croatien, Slavonien etc., Erzherzoginn zu Österreich, Herzoginn zu Burgund, zu Steyer, zu Kärnten und zu Krain, Großfürstinn zu Siebenbürgen, Markgräfin zu Mähren, Herzoginn zu Braband, zu Limburg, zu Luxenburg und zu Geldern, zu Würtenberg, zu Ober- und Niederschlesien, zu Mayland, zu Mantua, zu Parma, zu Placenz und Quastalla, Fürstinn zu Schwaben, gefürstete Gräfinn zu Habsburg, zu Flandern, zu Tirol, zu Hennegau, zu Kiburg, zu Görz und Gradisca, Markgräfinn des Heiligen Römischen Reichs zu Burgau, zu Ober- und Nieder Lausitz, Gräfinn zu Namur, Frau auf der Windischen Mark und zu Mecheln etc. verwittibte Herzoginn zu Lotharingen und Baar, Großherzoginn zu Toskana etc.

HHStA....................Österreichisches StaatsarchivHaus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Wien

HGM ......................Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, WienMMD .....................Museen des Mobiliendepots

Hofsilber- und Tafelkammer, WienKHM-MK ..............Kunsthistorisches Museum

Münzkabinett, WienKHM-GG...............Kunsthistorisches Museum

Gemäldegalerie, WienKHM-WBG ...........Kunsthistorisches Museum

Wagenburg, WienWGMF...................Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in WienAVA........................Österreichisches Staatsarchiv

Allgemeines VerwaltungsarchivÖNB-BA ................Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

BildarchivWBM .....................Wiener BestattungsmuseumWPMA...................Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten

Historical concept and management: Kerry R. J. TattersallExhibition Manager: Karl MachulkaTechnical Production: Franz J. ArtmüllerCatalogue: © Münze Österreich, Marketing

The texts printed in this catalogue are the intellectual property of the

the expressed consent of the author. Catalogue text: © Austrian Mint. Printing or copying, in part or in whole, only with the expressed consent of the publisher.Cover picture: © Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden Künste,

The exhibition room of the Austrian Mint is intended for collectors and all those interested in the background story to the various themes on

mint museum in the years to come.

• Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien

• Heeresgeschichtlichen Museum, Wien

• Kunsthistorischen Museum

Gemäldegalerie, Wien

• Kunsthistorischen Museum

Münzkabinett, Wien

• Kunsthistorischen Museum

Wagenburg, Wien

• Museen des Bundesmobiliendepots

Bundesmobiliendepot, Wien

• Museen des Bundesmobiliendepots

Hofsilber- und Tafelkammer, Wien

• Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek

Bildarchiv

• Österreichischen Staatsarchiv

Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Wien

• Österreichischen Staatsarchiv

Kriegsarchiv, Wien

• Österreichischen Staatsarchiv

Verwaltungsarchiv, Wien

• Sammlung Hafner

• Stift Klosterneuburg

• Wiener Bestattungsmuseum

• Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten

Maria Theresia at ca. 1762

Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-1789)Lemberg/Lviv, Gemäldegalerie, Inv. Nr. G-P 131