1804–1835
Franz II (I) liked to stylize himself as the ‘Father of his State’, in keeping with the Biedermeier patriarchal ideal of the man as the head of the family. This ideal appears in numerous works of art, including portraits of the ruler, and also in the image that the emperor projected when he made public appearances. The main characteristics of this image were domesticity, a close affinity to Nature and the cultivation of family life.
The Habsburg dynasty: Here you can read potted biographies, examine portraits from seven centuries and dip into the historical contexts of past epochs.
Select a period in Habsburg history, from the beginnings of Habsburg rule in the Middle Ages to the collapse of the Monarchy during the First World War.
The map shows the territorial development of the Habsburg Monarchy as it evolved into a sprawling, geographically fragmented empire.
Monarchical rule was legitimized by descent. The classic form of representing these relationships is the genealogical table or family tree.
Collected themes - browse stories and anecdotes from the history of the Habsburg Monarchy.
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Choose from various themes to access and explore the history of the Habsburg Monarchy, for example 'work', 'love' or 'death'.
Journey through the different epochs of Habsburg history from the Middle Ages to the First World War.
All the members of the Habsburg dynasty. Read biographical notes and explore the historical context.
