Biography of Maria Anna of Saxony
Marie Anna of Saxony, Grand Duchess of Tuscany (15 November 1799 – 24 March 1832), (full name: Maria Anna Carolina Josepha Vincentia Xaveria Nepomucena Franziska de Paula Franziska de Chantal Johanna Antonia Elisabeth Cunigunde Gertrud Leopoldina), was a princess of Saxony. She became Grand Duchess of Tuscany by her marriage to Leopoldo II, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Marie Anna was born in Dresden, one of the seven children of Maximilian of Saxony by his first wife Caroline of Bourbon-Parma. Her father was a son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony. Her mother was a daughter of Ferdinand, Duke of Parma. Through her mother, Maria Anna was also a direct descendant of Louis XIV of France and William the Conqueror.
During her short life she showed a special interest in ancient paintings and classical poetry, acquiring the Liber Interitus by Horace for an unknown but extremely high price. She was inspired by Gnostic writings to write a short poem entitled "Chuchotet d'Archont", published posthumously. Along with her husband she was the founding patron of L'Istituto Statale della Ss. Annunziata, the first female boarding school in Florence. It was established to educate aristocratic and noble young ladies. She died in Italy of tuberculosis, which she passed on to Auguste, her only surviving daughter.
A family member described Maria Anna as a "highly nervous girl who was so terrified at the idea of meeting her unknown bridegroom that she refused to leave Dresden unless accompanied by her sister, Maria Ferdinanda." Her sister agreed to travel with her, and Maria Anna was duly married on 16 November 1817 to the future Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, son of Ferdinando III, Grand Duke of Tuscany and his first wife Princess Luisa of Naples and Sicily. During the celebrations Ferdinando became attached to Maria Ferdinanda and they were later married. Maria Ferdinanda thus became Maria Anna's stepmother-in-law.
During her short life she showed a special interest in ancient paintings and classical poetry, acquiring the Liber Interitus by Horace for an unknown but extremely high price. She was inspired by Gnostic writings to write a short poem entitled "Chuchotet d'Archont", published posthumously. Along with her husband she was the founding patron of L'Istituto Statale della Ss. Annunziata, the first female boarding school in Florence. It was established to educate aristocratic and noble young ladies. She died in Italy of tuberculosis, which she passed on to Auguste, her only surviving daughter.
A family member described Maria Anna as a "highly nervous girl who was so terrified at the idea of meeting her unknown bridegroom that she refused to leave Dresden unless accompanied by her sister, Maria Ferdinanda." Her sister agreed to travel with her, and Maria Anna was duly married on 16 November 1817 to the future Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, son of Ferdinando III, Grand Duke of Tuscany and his first wife Princess Luisa of Naples and Sicily. During the celebrations Ferdinando became attached to Maria Ferdinanda and they were later married. Maria Ferdinanda thus became Maria Anna's stepmother-in-law.