Page - 336 - in Die Repräsentation der Habsburg-Lothringischen Dynastie in Musik, visuellen Medien und Architektur - 1618–1918

336 Sektion IV: Zeremonielle Räume und die „Öffentlichkeiten“ The awareness of the Habsburg sovereignty over the Croatian historical lands dur- ing the reigns of Maria Theresa and Joseph II was constantly kept alive by means of patronage over the newly-built churches and through the donations of artworks, liturgical vestments, and goldsmith artefacts. During the reign of Maria Theresa, a considerable number of churches were built under her patronage, but one of them had a special place in conveying a political message in the framework of religious iconography − the Cathedral of St Theresa of Avila in Požega, built in 1756/1763. Its high altar with the baldachin crown of St Stephen and its altarpiece presenting the Ecstasy of St Theresa of Avila, a gift of Empress Maria Theresa to Franjo Thauszy (1751–1769), bishop of the Zagreb diocese and founder of its Slavonian chapter – is an explicit metaphor of the apotheosis of the empress as the Hungarian sovereign.20 The construction of the church in Požega, as well as the type of altar and the donation of a painting showing the ecstasy of St Theresa of Avila, were certainly de- termined by the actual historical and political circumstances, as well as the citizens’ wish to obtain the status of a free royal town for Požega. Bishop Thauszy, who was in good relations with the imperial court, played a prominent role in this campaign. The process of granting freedom to the city had started with the first initiative expressed at the county Diet of 21 October 1748, but it took almost 17 years to obtain the charter by which, on 1 September 1765, Maria Theresa granted all rights of a free royal town to Požega: this was solemnly announced on 25 December, that very year, at the church of St Theresa, two years after its completion.21 This created favourable conditions for the city’s further development in all aspects of life, and ensured various rights, including sending delegates to the royal diets and appointing its own admin- istration: officials and clerks.22 However, this acknowledgment had been preceded by prolonged negotiations between the county and the court. It was only ten years after receiving the application from the representatives of the county assembly that Maria Theresa asked the Croatian Diet to submit a report on the financial status of Požega’s citizens, their solvency for paying the fee for becoming a free royal town, and the gen- eral conditions for the city’s progress and the development of citizenry and trade.23 Speaking of Bishop Thauszy, his ecclesiastical career flourished around 1749/50, when he took over the administration of the Bosnian diocese after the death of Bishop Petar IV Bakić de Lach († 1749), an office that Thauszy would hold until 1751, when Maria Theresa appointed him as bishop of Zagreb. Upon his inaugura- tion on 13 August 1751 Thauszy designated canon Josip Gal as his deputy in Zagreb while dedicating himself intensely to the development and organization of the Sla- vonian part of his diocese, where he established a special consistory for spiritual and pastoral affairs in Požega (1752), founded the Požega parish, and commissioned the construction of the church of St Theresa.24 Largely financing it from his own pocket,