Figure 1.--This painting is 'Die Musterung bei Solenau im Jahr 1749' (The Muster at Solenau in 1749) by Karl von Blaas. It depicts Empress Maria Theresa and her son, Crown Prince Joseph, inspecting troops. It is a historical painting created in 1865. We do not know why the artist memoralized the 1749 musdter.

Josef was born in Vienna, the oldest son of Maria Theresa and her husband Francis (1741). He ruled jointly with his mother when he became emperor (1765). He was thus the first ruler in the Austrian dynasty of the House of Lorraine, styled Habsburg-Lorraine. He was the brother of Leopold II and Fremch queen Maria Antonette, altyhough Josef fied before the situatiion became diasterous. Joseph believed in enlightened absolutism. He promoted modernizing reforms. He encountered real opposition among the conservative hierarchy of the Empire--despite his claims to absolutism. As a result he had difficulty fully implement his desired reforms. programs. He made some limited territorial gains, mostly in Poland, but his reckless foreign policy resulted in isolating Austria. He is generally grouped with Catherine the Great of Russia and Frederick the Great of Prussia, as one of the three great Enlightenment monarchs. It is a a historical enigma that the greatest Enlightenment monarchs were absolutists. His reputation as an enlightened monarch is not endorse by all historians. Some contemporaries referred to him as more of a radical philosopher which is a bit of a stretch. His policies became known as Josephinism. He supported the arts, especially music, including composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. He died without sons and was succeeded by his younger brother, Leopold II.

Created: 3:10 AM 7/6/2026
Last updated: 3:10 AM 7/6/2026