Archduchess Johanna Gabriele of Austria (German: Maria Johanna Gabriele Josefa Antonia; 4 February 1750 – 23 December 1762) was an Archduchess of Austria as the eleventh child of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. She was originally meant to marry Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, her second cousin; however, the marriage plans were never finalised due to Johanna Gabriele's death from smallpox.
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Childhood
Johanna Gabriele was born on 4 February 1750 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, as the eleventh child and eighth daughter of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Empress Maria Theresa. She was raised in the Kindskammer with her many siblings, though she was particularly close with her sister Maria Josepha, who was born a year after Johanna Gabriele in 1751. The two were educated together and had the same tutors.
Johanna Gabriele strictly studied Latin, French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, German, English, history, geography, land surveying, mathematics, and theology—from the age of three. She was also taught how to dance and sing, and was known to have excelled at these subjects. She often gave musical performances, as she loved to sing. She also loved to act.
Additionally, Johanna Gabriele and her sisters were highly educated in dance and singing. While her brothers were taught to play different instruments, Johanna Gabriele and her sisters were given singing lessons. A special theatre was built at the Schönbrunn Palace, specially for the children; Johanna Gabriele and her siblings gave frequent musical performances. All in all, Johanna Gabriele and her sister Maria Josepha "developed satisfactory, worked hard at their lessons and were involved in numerous festivities in which they participated enthusiastically."