The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-10
A FUTURE EMPRESS.
Tho Studio and Some of the Creations of
Archdnchess Marie Therese.


Archducbess Marie Therese.
In view of the prominent part takel
by the Archduchess Marie Therese in tn,
organization of the -Hungaria,
section Of the woman's department o
the Worlds fair of 1893 and Of the fac
that the princess. besides being the pres
ident of the committee, is also an exhib
itor at Chicago, it may interest the read
ers of The Tribune to obtain a glimpse
of the studio of the beautiful and stately
brunette who is destined in course OF
timet to become empress of Austria. The
palace of the archduchess is situated in
the Favoritenstrasse and is perhaps the
only one of the great houses at Vienna
where artists, scientists, authors and vir-
tuosi of one kind and another find cor
dial and appreciative welcome. This is
not altogether surprising when it is
borne in mind that Marie Therese, in adj
dition to having already made her mark
in literature, is one Of the most skillful
amateur photographers in the old world,
besides being painter of considerable
talent, boldness and originality of con-
ception.
The studio of the archduchess is stu
ated on the second floor of the palace in
very lofty, long and narrow apartment
looking out on the street. 1t is particu-
larly remarkable for its simplicity, pre-
senting therein powerful contrast to
the magniicence of the two salons
fbrouo oh which II 10 ,oaoaccory IN ,,occ 70
reach it. The few stools, tabourets, arm
chairs and divans are upholstered with
soft toned oriental rugs. The walls are
covered with some sort of olive colored
textile fabric, and the one opposite to
the windows is divided in the middle by
balcony or gallery, the exquisite wood
carvings for which were brought by the
archduchess herself from Meran.
The parquetted floors are partly con-
cealed by the skins of tigers and of polar
bears shot in India and in the arctic re-
gions by the brother of the archduchess,
Don Miguel of Braganza, while on easels
and suspended from the walls are oil col
or portraits by the princess or Baroness |
Komlossy, to whom she is indebted for
her knowledge of painting; CT her hus-
band, the Archduke Charles LOUIS of |
the empress of Austria in riding habit |
and of the emperor. There is also very
pretty picture of cat in the act of eff
fecting its escape from the basket in
which it had been confined, and won
derfully effective crayon sketch of her
stepson, Archduke Francis Ferdinand
Nor must the visitor overlook the charm
ing screens so gracefully painted by the
and similar to the one which
she has sent to Chicago.
The screens now in her studio are des-
tined for sale at the charity fair to be
held in the autumn at Meran for the pur-
pose of raising funds for the extension of
Jhe eye hospital founded and maintained
here by her philanthropic and skillful
orother-in-law, Duke Charles Theodore
If Bavaria. The colossal fireplace form
ng the angle in one of the corners of her
DOM is surmounted not bya mirror, but
~ panel formed of an almost priceless
,iece Of old oriental embroidery, the
brilliant colors of which have
,een softened and rendered harmonious
md mellow by age.
The doors of the studio are concealed by
'ortieres of Flemish tapestry and by pom
lerous Mucharabieh screens of quantity
arved wood from Cairo. Preserved
rom dust and damage beneath glass are
ONE unique pieces of antique Venetian
oint lace presented by another brother {
n-law, Don Alfonso of Spain, the younger
'rother of the pretender, Don Carlos.
hat the studio is regarded by the arch.
uchess as her snuggery may be gathered
rom the fact that she reads and writes
II her letters there at writing table,
he equipment of which is of oriental
old filigree work, jeweled with pearls,
ubies and sapphires. When painting, i
he archduchess usually wears a species
f coarse cotton apron somewhat similar
o that in which Princess Louise of Great !
Britain is accustomed to array herself
When engaged in sculpture in her studio
It Kensington palace, London.-New
FORK Tribune. :