Allegory of the marriage of Franz Stephan and Maria Theresa

Engraving on paper, Hieronymus Sperling after Salomon Kleiner, 1737

This marriage established a truly well-functioning partnership characterized by mutual love and respect, which was fundamental to the future of the dynasty.

Maria Theresa's father, Charles VI, had no male heir and therefore wanted a son-in-law who could in principle be a candidate for succession as Holy Roman Emperor. Franz Stephan of Lorraine completely fulfilled this requirement: he came from an old, albeit not very powerful, dynasty and was subsequently consistently built up as Charles' successor.

The marriage finally concluded in 1736 meant the merger of two dynasties - the House of Habsburg-Lorraine was created.