Bernardo Bellotto, gen. Canaletto | 1759/1761
Bellotto depicts the palace designed Fischer von Erlach for Emperor Joseph I in 1693/94 after it was remodelled by Pacassi 1744-1749. At that time the central exterior stairway over the carriage entrance was built, and the adjacent building with the Parade Court was connected with the main building. At the same time, the painting also records an actual historical event: on 16 August 1759, during the Seven Years' War, Empress Maria Theresa received news of the victory of the Austrian army over the Prussians at Kunersdorf.