Misc. Subj. OXXlt Vol VI. No. 80. 



EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF JOSEPH. II, BEFORE THE 

 IMPERIAL PALACE IN \ VIENNA. 



1 he present Emperor of Austria , Iiis Majes- 

 ty Francis L determined to get erected a 

 magnificent monument to the memory of 

 his great uncle , Joseph II, who excee- 

 dingly deserved it of his nation by introdu- 

 cing useful arts and sciences. The Enxpe- 

 ror desired this monument to consist of 

 Joseph's equestrian statue of bronze, suppor- 

 ted by a pedestal of granite, in order to 

 embellish Joseph's place, before the impe- 

 rial palace in Vienna. Mr. Zauner, a cele- 

 brated statuary in Vienna , was charged 

 with this commission. After II jears of 

 w ork the whole was finished in the most 

 perfect manner, as the present view exhi- 

 bits, and consecrated on Joseph's place, 

 the 24. of Nov. 1807? in presence of the 



imperial family. The Emperor Joseph is 

 seated on horseback, in the roman manner 

 announcing his protection to his subjects by 

 the extended right hand. Besides the tables 

 of inscription there are on the pedestal two 

 Basreliefs of bronze, relative to Joseph's 

 merits. The opposite side refers to the free- 

 dom and Improvements which Joseph gran- 

 ted to the Trade of Austria. 



The height of the whole monument amo- 

 unts to 33 feet, 3 inches ; that of the horse to 

 13 feet; the figure of the Emperor is in height 

 II feet. The group of the horse with the 

 figure of bronze has 400 quintals of weight. 

 This statue is a beautiful monument of 

 german art, worthy of being transmitted 

 to the remotest posterity. 



