Maria Theresia 1717-1780

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To commemorate the 300th anniversary of Maria Theresa's birth, a major exhibition will be launched on 15 March 2017, highlighting her life and impact as a pivotal European ruler. Her 40-year reign from 1740 to 1780 marked a transformative period for the Habsburg Monarchy, transitioning from early turbulence to a golden age. As the daughter of Charles VI, she implemented significant reforms in state administration and foreign policy that shaped the monarchy's future. Despite her skepticism towards Enlightenment ideals, her reign is recognized for modernization within Habsburg lands. The exhibition showcases the peak of courtly grandeur before the more austere Josephine era and the upheaval of the French Revolution. Maria Theresa was idealized as the "mother of the nation," a status bolstered by her sixteen children, which made her a symbolic figure during her life. The exhibition delves into her family dynamics, revealing complex relationships among family members. It also addresses the darker aspects of her rule, including her intolerance of other faiths and the creation of her mythic image, critically analyzing her legacy as a positive symbol for the Habsburg dynasty. The exhibition will be held at Schloss Hof, Schloss Niederweiden, Hofmobiliendepot, and Kaiserliche Wagenburg Wien, Austria, from 15 March to 29 November 2017.