Maria Anna Josepha Althann

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Maria Anna Josepha Althann b. Pignatelli (1689–1755)
Portrait of Johann Michael von Althann
Coat of arms of the von Althann

Maria Anna Josepha Countess von Althann (born July 26, 1689 in Alcúdia ; † March 1, 1755 in Vienna ) was the wife of Johann Michael von Althann , patron and confidante of Charles VI.

Life

Maria Anna Josepha Althann was born as Marchesa Pignatelli on July 26, 1689 in Alcúdia, her parents were Dominik Fürst Pignatelli and Anna d'Aimerich. In 1711 Charles VI. to Germany to succeed Joseph I as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. Several Spanish noble families followed him, including the Pignatellis. At the imperial court she met Johann Michael von Althann , a confidante of Charles VI, who immediately wooed her hand. She consented so that she married him in Barcelona .

As confidante of the new emperor and Countess Eleonore Batthyány-Strattmann , who was one of the most influential women at court, Althann campaigned for the promotion of Italian painters and poets. Pietro Metastasio , Apostolo Zeno and Garelli, but also the historical works of the Benedictines Bernhard Pez , Hieronymus Pez and Gottfried Bessel came under their sponsorship . She also dealt with genealogy and heraldry . Althann belonged to the Spanish party at court, but it is not known whether it was also involved in politics. Constantin von Wurzbach gives a source that tells of Althann's interference in state affairs, but gives no evidence of this himself. Maria Anna Josepha Althann died in Vienna on March 1, 1755, as a palace lady and awarded the Star Cross by the emperor .

Hellmuth Rößler described Althann as a fine-minded and beautiful Spaniard, while Rochus von Liliencron saw her as a protector of art and science and thus ascribed an important role to her. According to a rumor of the time, after the death of her husband in 1722, she secretly married the poet Pietro Metastasio, whom she had previously supported. Von Liliencron does not classify this statement as tenable. He also states that she had beauty, heart and mind. Also Constantin von Wurzbach sets them apart for these properties, they also have stood up for the poor. He also gives the rumor about Althann's second secret marriage as a mere presumption that cannot be proven. In Vienna she was popular, respected and influential and was generally referred to by the people as “Spanish Althann” because of her Spanish origins. In Schloss Frain, Styria , there is an oil painting by Althann that was made by an unknown painter. She also became known in Croatia , where she and her husband had owned the Međimurje estate from 1719 .

The marriage with Johann Michael von Althann had six children, including Michael Johann, who became Vice-President of the Supreme Judicial Office, and Michael Anton Ignaz, later General of the Cavalry.

Remarks

  1. ↑ In the Neue Deutsche Biographie, the marriage date is incorrectly stated as February 12, 1709, but the two only met in 1711.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Althann, Maria Anna Josepha
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Pignatelli, Marchesa
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Wife of Johann Michael von Althann, patron and confidante of Karl VI.
DATE OF BIRTH July 26, 1689
PLACE OF BIRTH Alcúdia
DATE OF DEATH March 1, 1755
Place of death Vienna