Absolutism / Spread of the Official style

Maison de plaisance were used for reflection and dialogue.

The spread of different artistic styles was not confined to official residences but proliferated in smaller châteaus in the countryside as well, the so-called maison de plaisance. Famous court architects and architects were commissioned to build and decorate these residences, employing a diversity of styles. Sometimes the term “correspondence architecture” is used, which means that the project was created by well-known designers in another country, whose designs were then sent to the clients, and realised by local artists. The maison de plaisance were not only venues for pleasure and self-representation, however, but played an important diplomatic and administrative role in addition.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Savoyai Mansion1702–1722Ráckeve, Közép-Magyarország / Central Hungary, HungaryA maison de plaisance that not only served the nobles' penchant for luxury but also became the official building for administration of the Habsburg monarchy, which meant the Holy Roman Empire as well.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Savoyai Mansion1702–1722Ráckeve, Közép-Magyarország / Central Hungary, HungaryThe gallery of mythological figures along with with the Savoy family's coat-of-arms on the main façade commemorates the glory of a victorious military leader in the war against the Turks.
Savoyai Mansion1702–1722Ráckeve, Közép-Magyarország / Central Hungary, HungaryA maison de plaisance that not only served the nobles' penchant for luxury but also became the official building for administration of the Habsburg monarchy, which meant the Holy Roman Empire as well.
Rimanóczy Mansion1739Zsira-Gyüleviz, Nyugat-Magyarország / West Hungary, HungaryA country house built in the style of the Viennese court for a noble Hungarian family.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Rimanóczy Mansion1739Zsira-Gyüleviz, Nyugat-Magyarország / West Hungary, HungaryA series of oil-on-canvas portraits praise the Habsburg dynasty and the Esterházy family.
Rimanóczy Mansion1739Zsira-Gyüleviz, Nyugat-Magyarország / West Hungary, HungaryThe Triumph of Apollo and the Four Continents are typical motifs used in the decoration of maison de plaisance.
Queluz Royal Palace17th century; 1751–c.1800Queluz, Lisbon, PortugalThe royal summer palace and gardens were used to entertain officials.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Throne Room1768Interior Queluz, Lisbon, Portugal
Gardens1758–1782Exterior
Ceremonial Façade (main façade) 1764Exterior view from the Pênsil Garden
Amalienburg1734–1739Munich-Nymphenburg, Upper Bavaria, GermanyMaison de plaisance in the French Late-Regency style was very popular in Central Europe in the latter half of the 18th century.
Ratkaj Palace17th–18th centuriesMiljana, North-West Croatia, CroatiaAllegories representing the Four Seasons, Four Stages of Man, Four Elements, Four Tempers and the Four Senses exemplify the interior decoration of aristocratic manors.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Allegories of the Four Seasons, Four Temperaments and Four Elements1763Wall of the working cabinet, Ratkaj PalaceMiljana, North-West Croatia, Croatia
Sanguinic1763Wall of the working cabinet, Ratkaj Palace
Garden frontage1725Židlochovice ChateauŽidlochovice, Moravia, Czech Republic
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Courtyard1749; 1870–1880Židlochovice Chateau
Mercury1729Židlochovice Chateau
Chapel of the Holy Cross1746Židlochovice Chateau