Allegorical tomb of Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria, in the form of a pyramid into which sculpted mourners carry her urn. Engraving by P. Bonato, 1805, after D. Del Frate after A. Canova.
- Canova, Antonio, 1757-1822.
- Date:
- 1805
- Reference:
- 3087377i
- Pictures
About this work
Description
The cenotaph of Maria Christina in the Augustinerkirche, Vienna; not her tomb, which was in the Imperial crypt beneath the Capuchin Church, Vienna. Sculpted figures are shown in front of the pyramid. Centre, three mourners with wreathes carry her urn into the pyramid. Left, a woman helps an infirm old man and a woman up the steps to accompany the mourners. Right, an angel with the arms of Duke Albrecht Kasimir sits on the steps up to the tomb, resting on a sleeping lion (the lion being the symbol of Habsburg) which guards a plaque displaying the arms of Habsburg (the family of Maria Christina)
Publication/Creation
([Rome] : Raffaelle Jacomini impresse)
Physical description
1 print : line engraving ; platemark 75.4 x 60.2 cm
Lettering
Dedicato a Sua Altezza Reale il Principe Alberto di Polonia e Lituania, Duca di Sassonia Teschen &c. Maresciallo Generale delle Armate di S.M. Imperiale e Reale e dell'Impero, Colonello proprietario d'un regimento di corazzieri al servizio di S.M.I.R.A. ... Domenico del Frate D.D.D. Eques Antonius Canova inv. et faciebat. Dominicus del frate delin. Petrus Bonato Venetus sculp. Romae 1805.
Lettered with a dedication in Italian and French to Duke Albrecht Casimir of Sachsen-Teschen. The lintel over the entrance to the tomb is inscribed "Mariae Christinae austriacae Alberti Saxoniae principis coniugi" (to Maria Christina, wife of Albrecht prince of Saxony). Above, a flying spirit accompanied by a cherub holds up a roundel containing her portrait in profile with the inscription "Maria Christina Austr.". The roundel is framed with the ouroboros, representing eternity
Reference
Wellcome Collection 3087377i
Type/Technique
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores