Maria Theresa Monument, Bronze monument at Maria-Theresien-Platz, Vienna, Austria.
The Maria Theresa Monument is a bronze sculpture at Maria-Theresien-Platz showing the empress seated on a throne, surrounded by four equestrian statues of military commanders at the corners. The entire composition occupies a significant space between the Museum of Natural History and the Art History Museum, serving as a central artwork in the heart of Vienna.
The monument was completed in 1888 and commemorates the empress who ruled from 1740 to 1780, overseeing significant territorial changes for the Habsburg Empire. It symbolizes her importance as one of Europe's most powerful female rulers of that period.
The base reliefs show important artists and scholars such as composers Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. These representations reflect how Maria Theresa supported the arts and sciences during her reign.
The monument sits between the Museum of Natural History and the Art History Museum with easy accessibility. The nearby Volkstheater and Museumsquartier subway stations provide convenient access for visitors.
The empress holds a scroll in her left hand representing the Pragmatic Sanction, which allowed female succession to the Habsburg throne for the first time. This detail at the statue marks a turning point in European dynastic history.
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