The herald., 1893-08-14
A FUTURE EMPRESS
Tho Studio and Sonse of the Creations of
Archduciress Marie Theress.


Tho Studio and sonse of the Creations of
ArchducireSs Marie Thsress.
In view Of the prominent part taken
by the Archdnchess Marie Therese In the
organization of the Austro- Hungarian
section Of the woman's department of
the Worlds fair of 1903 and Of the fact
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
time to become empress of Austria. The
palace Of the archduchess is situated in
the Favoritenstragse and is perhaps the
only one of the crest houses at Vienna
where artists, scientists, authors and yir-
tuosi of one kind and another find cor
dial and apprsciative welcome. This is
not altogether surprising when 1t is
borne in mind that Marie Theress, in ad-
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
a very lofty, long and narrow apartment
looking out on the street. 1t is particu-
larly remarkable for its simplicity, pre-
senting therein a powerful contrast to
the magnifcence Of the two salons
through which it is necessary to pass to
reach it. The few stools, tabourets, arm
chairs and divaus are upholstered with
soft toned oriental rugs. The walls are
textile fabric, and the one opposite to
the windows is divided m 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; Of her hus-
band, the Archduke Charles Louis; Of
the empress of Austria in riding habit
and of the emperor. There is also a very
pretty picture of cat In the act of ef-
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
archduchess 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
the eye hospital founded and maintained
there by her philanthropic and skillful
brother-in-law, Duke Charles Theodore
of Bavaria. The colossal fireplace form
ing the angle in one of the corners of her
room is surmounted not by a mirror, but
by panel formed of an almost priceless
piece of old oriental embroidery, the
brilliant colors of which have
been softened and rendered harmonious
and mellow by age.
The doors of the studio are concealed by
portieres of Flemish tapestry and by pom
derous Mucharabieh screens Of quantity
carved wood from Cairo. Preserved
from dust and damage beneath glass are
some unique pieces of antique Venetian
point lace presented by another brother
in-law, Don Alfonso Of Spain, the younger
brother of the pRetender, Don Carlos
That the studio is regarded by the arch
duchess as her snuEgery may be gathered
from tho fact that she reads and writes
all her letters theme at a writing table,
the equipment of which is Of oriental
gold f1igree work, jeweled with pearls,
ruhies and sapptdres. When painting,
the archduchess usually wears asspecies
of coarse cotton apron somewhat similar
to that in which Princess Louise of Great
Britain is accustomed to array herself
when engaged in sculpture in her studio
at Kensington palace, London.-New