Fête given in Vienna for the Marriage of Joseph II with Marie Josephine Antoinette, 1765. Lithograph coloured by hand of an engraving by Mme Lesueur after Nouguez.

In a landscape setting stand three figures in 18th century theatrical costume, with a group of women behind at left and men to the right. In the foreground stands a male figure, with feet turned out and arms outstretched, wearing a pink and 'gold' costume with bell-shaped skirt (tonnelet) and a plumed 'fez'. The central figure stands on his left leg with the right leg forward, his right hand at chest height in a gesture of benediction; he wears a similar costume in blue trimmed with pink and a laurel wreath; from his back sprout wings. The female figure at the right wears a panniered 18th century theatre costume in pink, decorated with broad bands of floral garlands on a yellow ground and edged with blue; in her grey wig are pink roses.

Bequeathed by Lady Mary Evans

The print records the Fête given in Vienna to celebrate for the Marriage of Joseph II with Marie Josephine Antoinette in 1765. Engraving coloured by hand by Mme Lesueur after Nouguez. The figures are identified as The Archduke Ferdinand (left); The Archduke Maximilian (centre) and Mme the Archduchess Antoinette (right). The women are Christine de Clary, Thérèse de Clary, Christine d'Augsberg and Pauline d'Amersberg; the men are their husbands, François Xavier, Comte d'Augsberg, Frédéric, landgrave de Furstemberg, Joseph, Comte de Clary and Venceslas, Comte de Clary.

Historical significance: Royal marriages have always been occasions for elaborate and expensive celebrations and, from the 16th to 18th centuries, they often included a court ballet, in which the aristocracy, including Emperors and Kings, often performed. These entertainments were essentially propaganda, showing the monarchs at the centre of the universe or as gods bestowing benefits on their courts and people. Performed on the occasion of marriages or signing of peace or trade treaties, the purpose was to show the power and wealth of the ruler, even if the royal coffers were really empty.

Coloured by hand by Mme Lesueur after Nouguez.

This print was published to commemorate the marriage, in 1765, of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, who ruled a large area of what is now Germany and Austria, to Marie Josephine Antoinette, daughter of the Elector of Bavaria in Germany. His dearly-loved first wife had died in 1763. This second marriage was for political reasons and was not happy.
Royal marriages have always been occasions for elaborate and expensive celebrations and, from the 16th to 18th centuries, they often included a court ballet, in which the aristocracy, including Emperors and Kings, often performed. These entertainments were basically propaganda, showing the monarchs at the centre of the universe or as gods bestowing benefits on their courts and people. Performed on the occasion of marriages or signing of peace or trade treaties, the message was often 'look how much money we've got, aren't you lucky to be linking yourselves to us', even if the royal coffers were really empty.
In this print, the Archduke Maximilian plays Eros, the god of love, blessing the sadly not-to-be-happy couple.

S.2598-1986