Maria Theresa 1717–1780

Strategist – Mother – Reformer

The large jubilee exhibition “Maria Theresa: Strategist – Mother – Reformer” examines the light and dark sides of this great European regent at four locations in Vienna and Lower Austria. In cooperation with the KHM-Museumsverband, the Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. presents the many facets of the mother of the Austrian nation and “Europe’s mother-in-law” at original historical locations.
The part of the exhibition at Schloss Hof gives an insight into Maria Theresa’s foreign policy under the title “Alliances and Enmities”. The venue Schloss Niederweiden focuses on domestic policy under the title “Modernization and Reforms”.
In the Hofmobiliendepot · Imperial Furniture Collection, the exhibition shows the regent’s “Family and Legacy” and also addresses her dynastic image politics, her legacy, and the Maria-Theresian rococo using Schloß Schönbrunn as an example.
The Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna focuses on the area of tension between female identity and “male” sovereignty under the title “High Office and High Spirits”.