Theresian Flags at the Croatian History Museum and their Iconographic Symbolism

Abstract

Flags from Maria Theresa’s era had regulated guidelines that had to be obeyed in order
to produce the most representative as well as the most typical baroque banners. The
ongoing military reforms launched by Maria Theresa, in conjunction with state-governing
reorganizations, are also mirrored in the Collection of Flags and Streamers at
the Croatian History Museum. In particular, there are four main representative flags
that, on the one hand, show the practice of exhibiting statehood statuses by means of
dynastic symbols on battalion standards, and on the other indicate the iconographic
significance of saints and beatified kings on ceremonial and commemorative banners.
These instructions were all done under the impression of the baroque style, the Age of
Enlightenment, and the turbulent time of confl ict in Maria Th eresa’s reign.