Johann Michael von Althann

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Johann Michael Graf von Althann (sometimes also Michael Johann ) (born October 8, 1679 in Joslowitz , Moravia ; † March 26, 1722 in Vienna ) was a favorite of Emperor Charles VI. and a main representative of the Spanish party at the Viennese court .

Johann Michael Graf von Althann

Life

Johann Michael came from the noble family Althann . He was a chamberlain, a secret councilor and, from 1716 to 1722, chief stable master under Charles VI. His offices were not very important, but he exerted considerable influence as Charles' personal favorite.

In 1703 he accompanied Charles VI. during his time as Archduke during the War of the Spanish Succession to Spain. At the Viennese court he had considerable influence, although he had no special skills. One reason was his Catalan wife, who was a friend of the emperor. At least the older historiography suggests an affair. Althann was one of the leading figures of the so-called "Spanish Party". Under his influence, the emperor fancied to Charles V of oriented Universalist even then no longer contemporary state image. The Spanish party at the Viennese court destroyed the understanding between the Emperor and Prince Eugene of Savoy , at least temporarily, through intrigues . Althann held an important position at court until his death; z. B. he had a decisive influence on the selection of ambassadors without holding a corresponding office. Althann also played an important role in the patronage system at the Viennese court.

Althann allowed the construction of the castle Vranov by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach continue. His wife used her influence to promote Italian artists as well as the historians Bernhard Pez and Gottfried Bessel .

The fact that Karl took over the guardianship of his children after the count's death speaks for the emperor's extraordinary appreciation for Althann. His wife was Maria Anna Josepha Althann , whom he married in Barcelona. The marriage had six children, including Michael Johann, Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Office, and Michael Anton Ignaz, General of the Cavalry.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Alfred Ritter von Arneth:  Karl VI., Roman-German Emperor . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 15, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1882, pp. 206-219.
  2. ↑ Hans Schmidt: Karl VI. 1711-1740. In: The emperors of the modern age 1519–1918. Holy Roman Empire, Austria, Germany. Munich 1990, p. 205
  3. ↑ Hans Schmidt: Karl VI. 1711-1740. In: The emperors of the modern age 1519–1918. Holy Roman Empire, Austria, Germany. Munich 1990, p. 203
  4. ↑ Volker Jarren: The United Netherlands and the House of Austria 1648–1748. Perception of the external image and political action of imperial envoy and ministers. In: Helmut Gabel (Ed.): Merchants and Princes. Foreign policy and political-cultural perception as reflected in Dutch-German relations 1648–1748. Münster u. a. 1998, p. 51
  5. ↑ Irene Kubiska: The imperial court and honor calendar in Vienna as a source for court research. An analysis of the court staff in the era of Emperor Karl VI. (1711-1740). Master's thesis, Vienna 2009, p. 123
  6. ↑ Irene Kubiska: The imperial court and honor calendar in Vienna as a source for court research. An analysis of the court staff in the era of Emperor Karl VI. (1711-1740). Master's thesis, Vienna 2009, p. 156

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personal data
SURNAME Althann, Johann Michael von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian nobleman, politician
DATE OF BIRTH October 8, 1679
PLACE OF BIRTH Joslowitz
DATE OF DEATH March 26, 1722
Place of death Vienna