| Abstrakt: |
Abstract: a1_This paper sheds light on the architectural representation of capitality issues in the Habsburg Monarchy. It focuses on one particular case study: the enlargement and embellishment project for the city of Pressburg (Bratislava) realized between 1774 and 1779. The city hosted the coronations of the Habsburgs as kings of Hungary, was the seat of the central administration of the kingdom since 1536, and from 1760 housed the main residence of the royal lieutenants, the Duke of Saxony-Teschen and the Archduchess Maria-Christina. The aim of this contribution is to show how these three functionally differentiated capitality aspects were actively displayed in the newly created urban space. Focusing on issues of patronage, this study stresses the role of each statesman in the decision-making process and explores in detail the networks drawn between statesmen serving the Lieutenancy Council of Hungary, the Royal Chamber, the royallieutenant Duke of Saxony-Teschen, and Maria-Theresa herself. The main initiators of the embellishment works were the Hungarian statesmen working in the central administration, notably the counsellor Count György Csáky, supported by the Duke of Saxony- Teschen. Csáky directed the embellishment project on behalf of the Lieutenancy Council, while at the same time building a theatre at his own expense in the same area. |
