The equestrian statue of Francis I

Long live the grandfather

Sculptor Balthasar Ferdinand Moll starts work on an impressive lead equestrian statue to honour Francis I (1708-1765), husband of Archduchess Maria Theresa, while the Holy Roman Emperor is still alive. Admittedly Moll only completes the work of art 15 years after the ruler’s death.

We can see this from the 2 signatures left by the artist on the Emperor’s cloak and the horse’s saddle cloth. Both bear the date 1780.

In 1797 the equestrian statue is placed on the Löwel Bastion before being moved to the Burggaten in 1819, where it still stands. The opportunity is taken here to add a stone base and a plate with an inscription. Francis I’s grandson, Emperor Francis I of Austria is responsible for this. Unlike his grandfather, Francis I of Austria is no longer a Holy Roman emperor, he has to give up the title in 1806.

The inscription on the monument reads: “In honour of the greatest grandfather, Francis I Austrian Emperor has chosen this place for the statue of the divine Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, so that he may always be among his own.” In addition the inscription bears the Roman date 1819 (MDCCCXIX), the year the monument is erected.