Spaces of action of early modern empresses. Eleonora Gonzaga (1598-1655) and Eleonora Gonzaga-Nevers (1628-1686)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Schnettger
• Subject Area: Early Modern History
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 414177095

Spaces of action of early modern empressesEleonora Gonzaga (1598-1655) and Eleonora Gonzaga-Nevers (1628-1686)The research on early modern female rulers has made notable progress during the last years. One distinct group of princesses, namely the Roman Empresses, have been largely neglected. Focusing the examples of Eleonora the Elder Gonzaga (1598-1655) and Eleonora the Younger Gonzaga-Nevers (1628-1686), the research project systematically analyses the spaces of action of early modern Roman Empresses for the first time. Leaning on the concept of the ruling couple (Heide Wunder, Katrin Keller) the aim of the project, among others, is to answer the following questions: What were the preconditions and constellations under which the empresses appeared as political actors? Which were the spaces of their actions? To which spaces did their activities refer? How did they act? What were the results of their actions? We shall examine the patronage activities and the development of the empresses’ networks as well as their representations and influence in questions of war and peace.The two Gonzaga empresses, the second wife of Ferdinand II and the third wife of Ferdinand III, fit perfectly for this purpose, not least because of their long-lasting presence at the imperial court. Having occupied the different roles of empress consort, (step)mother, mother-in law, grandmother and widow, they are well-suited to survey such spaces of action that were equally open to many other empresses. In several respects, they can be supposed to have become prototypes of early modern empress-ship. At the same time, the two empresses show several characteristics, which render the analysis of their cases most promising. In addition, they were the first early modern empresses originating from Italy. Their example is therefore ideal to learn about the spaces of action open to early modern empresses due to their participation in processes of transfer and exchange. The research project pursues three concrete aims:a) A researcher (Hannes Alterauge) shall analyse the involvement of the two Empresses in the dynastic politics between Vienna and Mantua in a monographic study.b) In order to strengthen the interdisciplinary connectivity of the research project, an interdisciplinary workshop with the participation of specialists from several disciplines (e.g. musicology, art history and theatre studies) shall take place at half-time. c) The researcher in charge will present a monographic overview on the spaces of action of the two Gonzaga empresses.Thereby, the research project contributes to the integration of gender concepts into the general political history.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants