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'''Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria''' (6 October 1738 – 19 November 1789) |
'''Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria''' (6 October 1738 – 19 November 1789), since 1766 Abbess of the [[Stift|''Frauenstift'']] in Prague, she lived almost exclusively in [[Klagenfurt]], where was built her palace, which now currently houses the Episcopal Palace. |
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==Life== |
==Life== |
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Maria Anna was born on 6 October 1738 at the [[Hofburg Palace]] in [[Vienna]], the center of the vastly powerful Habsburg Monarchy. |
Archduchess Maria Anna (known as ''Marianna'') was born on 6 October 1738 at the [[Hofburg Palace]] in [[Vienna]], the center of the vastly powerful Habsburg Monarchy. As the second but eldest surviving daughter of [[Maria Theresa of Austria|Maria Theresa]], Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor]], she was [[heiress presumptive]] of the hereditary lands of the Austrian Habsburgs between 1740 and 1741, until her younger brother Joseph (later to be the Holy Roman Emperor [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]]) was born. |
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Her mother gave her the customary education of the princely courts at that time. Maria Anna's musical talents were highly encouraged, but not her humanities talents. Maria Anna was the child least respected and loved by Maria Theresia –her younger brother Joseph and sisters [[Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (1743–1808)|Maria Elisabeth]] and [[Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen|Marie Christina]] always received the attention and care of the Empress: Joseph because was the male heir, Maria Elisabeth because was considered the most beautiful of the daughters, and Marie Christine because was the undisputed favorite child of her mother.<ref>[[Thea Leitner]]: ''Habsburgs vergessene Kinder''-</ref> |
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Maria Anna was intelligent but physically disabled. She suffered from bad health and had a fusion of her spine which caused her to have a lump on her back. In 1757, she contracted pneumonia, which permanently damaged her breathing capacity. Unable to find a royal husband, she was, in 1766, made the abbess of the ''Imperial and Royal Convent for Noble Ladies'' in [[Prague]] with the promise of 80,000 florins per year. Later, she gave up the Prague position and became an abbess in [[Klagenfurt]] with a smaller provision. In 1771, she had a Palace built in Klagenfurt, where she lived from 1780. Close to her younger sister [[Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (1743–1808)|Maria Elisabeth]], the two lived together in the same convents till their deaths. While her youngest sister, [[Marie Antoinette]], was traveling on her way to [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]], she stayed at the abbey for one night. |
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Despite being disabled, Maria Anna often played important roles in major events of state, including acting as sponsor at Marie Antoinette's christening.<ref>A. Fraser, ''Marie Antoinette: The Journey,'' p. 6</ref> |
Maria Anna was highly intelligent but physically disabled. She suffered from bad health, worsened by the drafty and cold rooms of the [[Hofburg]]. In 1757 she contracted pneumonia and almost died, being called the [[Anointing of the Sick|last rites]] for her. Although she survived, her breathing capacity was permanently damaged, and also developed a fusion of her spine which caused her to have a lump on her back. Since that time, she began to had a close relationship with her father, and reportedly became in Francis I's favourite child. She shared his interest in science and conducted experiments in chemistry and physics. Despite being disabled, Maria Anna often played important roles in major events of state, including acting as sponsor at Marie Antoinette's christening.<ref>A. Fraser, ''Marie Antoinette: The Journey,'' p. 6</ref> |
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In July 1765 the whole Imperial family traveled to the wedding of the second oldest son [[Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold]] to [[Innsbruck]]. They halted in [[Klagenfurt]], where Maria Anna attended the small monastery who belonged to the [[Order of Saint Elisabeth]], who established there om 1710. The encounter with the sisters should be a turning point in Maria Anna's life. Thea Leitner explains that the Archduchess became enthusiastic for the monastic life because the nuns didn't care about appearances and Maria Anna was always with the fear of being ridiculized because of her hump. The death of Emperor Francis I on 18 August 1765 was a devastating blow for Maria Anna. |
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Maria Anna was described as her father's favourite. She shared his interest in science and conducted experiments in chemistry and physics. She completed her father's coin collection, wrote a book about her mother's politics, drew and painted. She financed social projects, archaeological exhumations, artists and scientists. Her mentor was [[Ignaz von Born]]. She was disliked by high society because her scientific interests were considered unsuitable for her gender, but she was appreciated by the scientific and art world. |
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Because her mother was unable to find a royal husband, in 1766 Maria Anna was made Abbess of the Imperial and Royal Convent for Noble Ladies (''Frauenstift'') in [[Prague]] with the promise of 80,000 florins per year. Despite the opposition of his mother, she decided to gave up the Prague position and became an abbess in [[Klagenfurt]] with a smaller provision. A Palace for her was built by [[Nicolò Pacassi]] near the monastery as her residence, whose construction was completed in 1771. |
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Maria Anna was an honorary member of the Vienna Academy of Arts (1767) and elected member of the Florence Academy of Arts (1769). |
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At the abbess of the convent, she wrote: |
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Maria Anna's health deteriorated further in 1788, and she died on 19 November 1789. |
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::''God has given me the grace to know the world and its vanity, and thereby giving me the strength to close my life not as a nun, but in solitude and in the service of neighbors. I have to selected Klagenfurt, namely you and your pious sisters, hoping that my imperfect value spurred by your good examples, my salvation is assured me certainly.'' |
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During her time prior to her definitive move to Klagenfurt, Maria Anna completed her father's coin collection (who later became part of the [[Vienna Museum of Natural History]]) with the help of her mentor [[Ignaz von Born]] and established her own mineral and insect collection. She financed social projects, archaeological exhumations, artists and scientists. |
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Maria Anna also wrote a book about her mother's politics. Her watercolors and drawings were praised in the professional world. Maria Anna was made an honorary member of the [[Academy of Fine Arts Vienna]] in 1767 and elected member of the [[Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze]] in 1769. |
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Despite her talents and intelligence, Maria Anna was disliked by high society because her scientific interests were considered unsuitable for her gender, but she was appreciated by the scientific and art world. |
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Empress Maria Theresa died on 29 November 1780, and four months later, Maria Anna definitely moved to Klagenfurt. She quickly deveolped a deep friendship with Xaveria Gasser, Abbess of the convent. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Archduchess the monastery hospital could soon be extended, with her own personal physician supervised the patients of the hospital. Also in the municipality of Klagenfurt, she provided valuable assistance in welfare. |
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Her friends were nuns, artists, scientists, nobles, including the Carinthian iron Industrial Maximilian Thaddäus von Egger. Some of them belonged to the [[Freemasonry]]. In 1783, the Klagenfurt Masonic Lodge was founded by "to charitable Marianna" (''Zur wohltätigen Marianna'') as she was called. Maria Anna devoted himself in Klagenfurt to her scientific interests. She discovered her love for archeology: for excavations at Zollfeld she donated 30,000 florins and also took part in the excavations herself. |
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Close to her younger sister [[Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (1743–1808)|Maria Elisabeth]], the two lived together in the same convents till their deaths. While her youngest sister, [[Marie Antoinette]], was traveling on her way to [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]] in 1770, she stayed at Klagenfurt for one night. |
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Since the winter of 1788 Maria Anna's health deteriorated further. Her shortness of breath became worse and she could almost only move in a wheelchair. She died on 19 November 1789 in the presence of her closest friends. Reportedly her last words where: |
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::''It is probably a good country, I've had it ever loving. There are good people with whom I lived happily and I hardly leave.'' |
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Maria Anna leave her entire inheritance (who ascended to more than 150,000 guilders) to the monastery of Klagenfurt. Her brother, Emperor Joseph II, deduced from the income the inheritance tax. In her palace is now home to the Prince Bishop's residence, in the Mariannengasse. |
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===Gallery=== |
===Gallery=== |
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Revision as of 01:31, 31 May 2016
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2006) |
| Archduchess Maria Anna | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Archduchess Maria Anna by Martin van Meytens | |
| Born | 6 October 1738 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 19 November 1789 (aged 51) Klagenfurt, Austria |
| House | House of Habsburg-Lorraine |
| Father | Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Mother | Maria Theresa of Austria |
Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha Antonia of Austria (6 October 1738 – 19 November 1789), since 1766 Abbess of the Frauenstift in Prague, she lived almost exclusively in Klagenfurt, where was built her palace, which now currently houses the Episcopal Palace.
Life
Archduchess Maria Anna (known as Marianna) was born on 6 October 1738 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the center of the vastly powerful Habsburg Monarchy. As the second but eldest surviving daughter of Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, she was heiress presumptive of the hereditary lands of the Austrian Habsburgs between 1740 and 1741, until her younger brother Joseph (later to be the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II) was born.
Her mother gave her the customary education of the princely courts at that time. Maria Anna's musical talents were highly encouraged, but not her humanities talents. Maria Anna was the child least respected and loved by Maria Theresia –her younger brother Joseph and sisters Maria Elisabeth and Marie Christina always received the attention and care of the Empress: Joseph because was the male heir, Maria Elisabeth because was considered the most beautiful of the daughters, and Marie Christine because was the undisputed favorite child of her mother.[1]
Maria Anna was highly intelligent but physically disabled. She suffered from bad health, worsened by the drafty and cold rooms of the Hofburg. In 1757 she contracted pneumonia and almost died, being called the last rites for her. Although she survived, her breathing capacity was permanently damaged, and also developed a fusion of her spine which caused her to have a lump on her back. Since that time, she began to had a close relationship with her father, and reportedly became in Francis I's favourite child. She shared his interest in science and conducted experiments in chemistry and physics. Despite being disabled, Maria Anna often played important roles in major events of state, including acting as sponsor at Marie Antoinette's christening.[2]
In July 1765 the whole Imperial family traveled to the wedding of the second oldest son Leopold to Innsbruck. They halted in Klagenfurt, where Maria Anna attended the small monastery who belonged to the Order of Saint Elisabeth, who established there om 1710. The encounter with the sisters should be a turning point in Maria Anna's life. Thea Leitner explains that the Archduchess became enthusiastic for the monastic life because the nuns didn't care about appearances and Maria Anna was always with the fear of being ridiculized because of her hump. The death of Emperor Francis I on 18 August 1765 was a devastating blow for Maria Anna.
Because her mother was unable to find a royal husband, in 1766 Maria Anna was made Abbess of the Imperial and Royal Convent for Noble Ladies (Frauenstift) in Prague with the promise of 80,000 florins per year. Despite the opposition of his mother, she decided to gave up the Prague position and became an abbess in Klagenfurt with a smaller provision. A Palace for her was built by Nicolò Pacassi near the monastery as her residence, whose construction was completed in 1771.
At the abbess of the convent, she wrote:
- God has given me the grace to know the world and its vanity, and thereby giving me the strength to close my life not as a nun, but in solitude and in the service of neighbors. I have to selected Klagenfurt, namely you and your pious sisters, hoping that my imperfect value spurred by your good examples, my salvation is assured me certainly.
During her time prior to her definitive move to Klagenfurt, Maria Anna completed her father's coin collection (who later became part of the Vienna Museum of Natural History) with the help of her mentor Ignaz von Born and established her own mineral and insect collection. She financed social projects, archaeological exhumations, artists and scientists.
Maria Anna also wrote a book about her mother's politics. Her watercolors and drawings were praised in the professional world. Maria Anna was made an honorary member of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in 1767 and elected member of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze in 1769.
Despite her talents and intelligence, Maria Anna was disliked by high society because her scientific interests were considered unsuitable for her gender, but she was appreciated by the scientific and art world.
Empress Maria Theresa died on 29 November 1780, and four months later, Maria Anna definitely moved to Klagenfurt. She quickly deveolped a deep friendship with Xaveria Gasser, Abbess of the convent. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Archduchess the monastery hospital could soon be extended, with her own personal physician supervised the patients of the hospital. Also in the municipality of Klagenfurt, she provided valuable assistance in welfare.
Her friends were nuns, artists, scientists, nobles, including the Carinthian iron Industrial Maximilian Thaddäus von Egger. Some of them belonged to the Freemasonry. In 1783, the Klagenfurt Masonic Lodge was founded by "to charitable Marianna" (Zur wohltätigen Marianna) as she was called. Maria Anna devoted himself in Klagenfurt to her scientific interests. She discovered her love for archeology: for excavations at Zollfeld she donated 30,000 florins and also took part in the excavations herself.
Close to her younger sister Maria Elisabeth, the two lived together in the same convents till their deaths. While her youngest sister, Marie Antoinette, was traveling on her way to Versailles in 1770, she stayed at Klagenfurt for one night.
Since the winter of 1788 Maria Anna's health deteriorated further. Her shortness of breath became worse and she could almost only move in a wheelchair. She died on 19 November 1789 in the presence of her closest friends. Reportedly her last words where:
- It is probably a good country, I've had it ever loving. There are good people with whom I lived happily and I hardly leave.
Maria Anna leave her entire inheritance (who ascended to more than 150,000 guilders) to the monastery of Klagenfurt. Her brother, Emperor Joseph II, deduced from the income the inheritance tax. In her palace is now home to the Prince Bishop's residence, in the Mariannengasse.
Gallery
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Maria Anna -
Maria Anna in 1762 by Liotard -
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor with Maria Anna and Archduchess Maria Elisabeth -
Maria Anna's family
Ancestry
References
- ^ Thea Leitner: Habsburgs vergessene Kinder-
- ^ A. Fraser, Marie Antoinette: The Journey, p. 6
External links
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