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Lot Essay
Similar mixed-media pictures were very popular in domestic interiors throughout Europe between the mid-eighteenth and the mid-nineteenth centuries. Comparable eighteenth-century pictures include an Italian example sold Sotheby’s, London, 14 April 2011, lot 44; a German pair sold Christie’s, London, 26 January 2011, lot 274; and two Austrian silk pictures in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. nos. 64.101.1393 and 64.101.1394).
The present lot must date from after 1765 as the portrait depicting Maria Theresa on the wall shows the Empress in a black widow’s outfit, which she always wore after the 1765 death of her husband, Francis I. Although the sitter of the bust seen on the left side of this picture is not easily identifiable, it is very likely that it, too, depicts the Empress. Judging from the furniture, the clothing, and hair style of the figures, it is safe to assume that this lot was made after the death of Maria Theresa in 1780, and during the reign of one of her sons, Joseph II (r. 1780-90) or Leopold II (r. 1790-92). Closer examination helps us identify other characters in this picture and date the piece. The unique facial features of the gentleman seated in front center is without doubt Archduke Paul, son of Peter III and Catherine the Great. During his mother's reign, Paul and his wife Maria Feodorovna, born Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg, embarked on a European Grand Tour in 1781 under the pseudonyms "Comte and Comtesse du Nord." Although traveling incognito, they were received by the rulers of all major courts they visited during their trip. The first stop on their itinerary was Vienna, where they spent the month of December in 1781, before heading to Venice. The present scene is thus almost certainly depicting a meeting between Paul and Emperor Joseph II in Vienna. The identity of the seated ladies is uncertain, though it is most likely that one wearing the blue sash is Maria Feodorovna. The sashes Paul and Maria are wearing are blue, which was the color of the order of St. Andrew, the highest order of chivalry of the Russian Empire that was established in 1698 and bestowed upon members of the Imperial family and aristocracy. Interestingly, Joseph II was a widow at the time and thus none of the ladies wearing a red sash could be a Habsburg empress. A further interesting feature of this lot is the variety of figures included showing the diversity of the Habsburg court, as in addition to male and female courtiers, a member of the clergy, two Hungarian noblemen wearing their signature boots and mente coats, and a gentleman wearing an order that appears to be the French Saint Esprit are also depicted.
The present lot must date from after 1765 as the portrait depicting Maria Theresa on the wall shows the Empress in a black widow’s outfit, which she always wore after the 1765 death of her husband, Francis I. Although the sitter of the bust seen on the left side of this picture is not easily identifiable, it is very likely that it, too, depicts the Empress. Judging from the furniture, the clothing, and hair style of the figures, it is safe to assume that this lot was made after the death of Maria Theresa in 1780, and during the reign of one of her sons, Joseph II (r. 1780-90) or Leopold II (r. 1790-92). Closer examination helps us identify other characters in this picture and date the piece. The unique facial features of the gentleman seated in front center is without doubt Archduke Paul, son of Peter III and Catherine the Great. During his mother's reign, Paul and his wife Maria Feodorovna, born Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg, embarked on a European Grand Tour in 1781 under the pseudonyms "Comte and Comtesse du Nord." Although traveling incognito, they were received by the rulers of all major courts they visited during their trip. The first stop on their itinerary was Vienna, where they spent the month of December in 1781, before heading to Venice. The present scene is thus almost certainly depicting a meeting between Paul and Emperor Joseph II in Vienna. The identity of the seated ladies is uncertain, though it is most likely that one wearing the blue sash is Maria Feodorovna. The sashes Paul and Maria are wearing are blue, which was the color of the order of St. Andrew, the highest order of chivalry of the Russian Empire that was established in 1698 and bestowed upon members of the Imperial family and aristocracy. Interestingly, Joseph II was a widow at the time and thus none of the ladies wearing a red sash could be a Habsburg empress. A further interesting feature of this lot is the variety of figures included showing the diversity of the Habsburg court, as in addition to male and female courtiers, a member of the clergy, two Hungarian noblemen wearing their signature boots and mente coats, and a gentleman wearing an order that appears to be the French Saint Esprit are also depicted.