Friday, March 20, 2015

Maria Theresa as Queen of Hungary Presents Crown Prince Joseph to the Hungarian Nobles

Several representations from Tiny-Librarian. To quote:
The myth and legend which has grown up round this scene has sometimes obscured its true meaning. Nothing could be further from the truth than the picture of Maria Theresa presenting herself as a mother in distress, displaying her own stricken beauty and the helplessness of her infant son to the multitude. A few days later she did indeed show the child, but not as an appeal, rather as a pledge: Francis was to be co-regent; here, in the infant Joseph, was the promise that Hungary should one day have a real king.
Maria Theresa - Edward Crankshaw

Share

No comments: