Maria Theresia And Maria Karolina, Archduchesses Of Austria 1835

Josef Kriehuber's lithograph immortalizes Maria Theresia and Maria Karolina, Archduchesses of Austria. Ribbons dominate, adorning their gowns and hair. These are not merely decorative; they are symbols of connection and status. Consider the motif of intertwined ribbons—found across cultures from ancient Greece to Renaissance tapestries, signifying bonds of love, loyalty, and power. Here, they bind the sisters, visually reinforcing their familial connection. The ribbons also constrict the sitters, compressing their torsos. This symbol suggests a constraint, linking to the societal expectations and dynastic roles they were born into. The act of holding hands is also significant, resonating with depictions of familial harmony found in Roman portraiture. These elements are not static; they shift and evolve through history, mirroring changes in social values. This visual language evokes a powerful sense of collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level with enduring themes of family, duty, and the weight of history.