Czére Andrea szerk.: A Szépművészeti Múzeum közleményei (Budapest, 2008)

JÚLIA TÁTRAI AND LÁSZLO LENGYEL: Archduke Albert († 1621) on the Catafalque: A Picture of Old-New Acquisition

THE HABSBURG RULERS AND THE FRANCISCAN THIRD ORDER It is unusual that Archduke Albert, who during his lifetime enjoyed the splendour of Baroque art at his court, is depicted in the painting lying on the catafalque barefoot and clad in the simple habits of the Franciscan Third Order instead of being dressed in splendid attire representing temporal power. The Habsburg ties with the secular order of the Franciscans spanned many centuries. The Habsburgs liked to have themselves depicted in paintings dressed in the attire of the Franciscan Third Order. This tradition continued for one and a half centuries, which is exemplified by one of the watercolours of Princess Maria Christina of HabsburgLorraine (1742-1798), who was recognised for her painting skills.

18 Maria Christina and her husband

—Prince Mbert of Saxony, Duke of Teschen, who founded the Viennese Mbertina, bearing his name

—were co-governors of the Austrian Netherlands from 1780, just like Mbert the Pious and Isabella had been one hundred and eighty years before.

19 The archducal couple, fond of secular splendour, not only organized spectacular ceremonies but took part in them too (see Denis Msloot: The Ommeganck in Brussels in 1615: The Procession of the Guilds 1616, Madrid, Prado; Denis Msloot: 'The Ommeganck in Brussels on 31 May 1615: The Triumph of Archduchess Isabella, 1616, London, Victoria & Mbert Museum). They regarded the strengthening of Catholicism and the renewal of religion as one of their most important missions. In addition to supporting the Jesuit Order, the most influential and significant religious order, Mbert and Isabella also patronised other monastic orders, such as the Barefoot Carmelites. Their names are linked to the foundation of numerous church institutions, including churches, monasteries, and Jesuit colleges. The most important of these, the pilgrimage church in Scherpenheuvel, was founded in devotion to the Holy Virgin and designed by Cobergher, whose work also included the church of the Barefoot Carmelites in Brussels.

20 Mbert and Isabella devoted special attention to the worship of the patron saints (Saint Albert of Leuven, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary patron of the Franciscan Third Order, Saint Clare of Assisi and Saint Eugenius) and of their relics.

21 Penitent religious orders began to develop at the end of the twelfth century, which can be regarded as the antecedents of the Franciscan Third Order. However, people who had dissoluble ties with their spouses, families and secular professions were also inspired by the sermons of Saint Francis. Saint Francis provided advice in 1221 in his Memoria le Propositi, about "what must be done for the good of the souls of our brethren living in the secular world". After the death of Francis of Assisi, Pope Nicholas EV approved the Regula in 1289 and made it binding through his papal bull beginning with the words Supra Montem. For centuries the "ordo tercia" has been one of the most popular religious brotherhoods organised for secular mem-