In the portrait gallery opening the museum itinerary, the subject of Empress Maria Theresa recurs in three different portraits: the wedding one (a replica of Martin van Meytens’) and this most renowned one depicting her wearing a full black attire, as imposed by the traditions of widowhood, also displayed in the oval above the door.
The imagery of royal in the city will not come as a surprise, as the local historian Giovanni Romani reminds that “her sweet, discreet and fair government made these subjects utterly fond of that incomparable sovereign”.
Casalmaggiore, at the time part of the Duchy of Milan, after over one and a half centuries under the Spanish domination, in 1706 entered the vast network of the Habsburg Empire, which had been characterized by the long kingdom (1740-1780) of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II (1789-90) for the majority of the century. The two sovereigns were the authors of numerous “enlightened” reforms aimed at implementing a rational control over the territory.
It was Maria Theresa who conferred the title of “city” on Casalmaggiore in 1754, marking the beginning of a particularly flourishing period, also for arts and culture.
Loan from Fondazione Conte Busi onlus - Casalmaggiore
