Inne oblicze Augusta III - introwertyk na tronie
Another face of August III - an introvert on the throne

Summary/Abstract: The letters written by Imperial Ambassador Heinrich Wilhelm Count von Wilczek, who were guests of King August III and his wife Queen Maria Josepha in Kraków during the winter of 1734, reveal a great deal about the daily life of the Polish-Saxon court gleaned during their stay at Wawel. Of particular interest are Queen Maria Josepha's confessions, featured in one of Wilczek's letters, which shed more light on August III's personality traits. During a ball at Wawel on Monday, 26 January 1734, she approached the ambassador's wife, Countess Maria Charlotte Wilczek, to complain about the demeanour of August III, who had insisted on her speedy departure to Saxony. On this occasion, she pointed out some of August III's peculiarities of character. Maria Josepha said that it would suit the king if she went to Dresden, as he would not have to give so many public appearances in her absence. The queen said she knew full well how difficult it was to get August III to make such appearances. Commenting on this information, Ambassador Wilczek wrote that Maria Josepha enjoyed tremendous trust and popularity among Polish ladies and has a very good rapport with them. According to the personality theory devised by the famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, August III would have to be classified as an introvert, and strict adherence to court etiquette made it easier for him to function on a daily basis. Unlike her husband, it was Queen Maria Josepha who led an active social life and made herself accessible to other people from the court and noble circles, throwing parties, playing cards and dancing (even while heavily pregnant!).

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