Well Decoration
Sculptures
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Portrait of Emperor Joseph II as King of Hungary
| Artist | |
|---|---|
| Culture | Austrian |
| Date | 1780–1783 |
| Object type | relief |
| Medium, technique | alabaster |
| Dimensions | diameter: 10 cm |
| Inventory number | 8525 |
| Collection | Sculptures |
| On view | Museum of Fine Arts, Second Floor, European Sculpture 1350-1800, Gallery 3 |
Joseph II (r. 1780−90), emperor of the Habsburg Empire, is shown with the Hungarian Holy Crown on his head even though he was never crowned as king of Hungary. Consequently, the relief was thought to have been created during the unstable period around 1780, after the death of Empress Maria Theresa (r. 1740−80). Another possibility is that it was intended as a caricature, with the emperor shown wearing a crown which he had rejected. Acceptance of the crown would have implied his endorsement of the ancient rights of the Hungarian nobility. This, however, would have contradicted his planned reforms. Moreover, in Messerschmidt’s portrait relief, Joseph II is wearing ordinary dress, which does not suit the crown.
References
Balogh, Jolán, Katalog der ausländischen Bildwerke des Museums der bildenden Künste in Budapest, IV – XVIII. Jahrhundert: 1. Textband Bd. 1, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1975, p. 257-258., no. 395.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.
Further artworks from this collection