Anales de Historia del Arte (Dec 2016)
Image in the Monarchy: Fashion, spectacles and politics. Maria Theresa and Margaret Theresa of Spain in the quest of a New Olympus
Abstract
El Nuevo Olimpo was a representation and a masquerade ball in honour of Phillip IV’s niece and new spouse Mariana of Austria. This nuptial bond should result in a descendant that legitimates the monarch, although Phillip already had a daughter, Maria Theresa, from his former wife Isabel of France. In 1665, the king dies and due to the weakness of successor Charles II, a political tournament starts in order to establish which of the two daughters would be the legitimate heiress of the Spanish throne in case of repentant death. The two candidates were Charles II’s half-sister Maria Theresa, Queen of France at that moment; or his sister Margaret Theresa, empress of the Holy Roman Empire. This legitimacy, besides existing in European conflicts, will take part as well in a real cold war when it comes to image: The two queens will portray a physical image through her costumes and appearance and an allegorical image with their royal husbands through grandiose feasts and court spectacles.
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