maria theresa was described as diminutive, somewhat ill-shaped, clumsy and with a long nose and was not regarded a beauty, but her complexion was generally admired; as a person, she was regarded as "not distinguished in any sense", but nevertheless goodhearted. florimond claude, comte de mercy-argenteau, who corresponded with holy roman empress maria theresa regarding marie antoinette, said that she was silent and interested in absolutely nothing. the brother of marie antoinette, joseph ii, holy roman emperor, said of her during his visit to france in 1777 that she was the only one in the royal family "to give birth to children, but is in all other aspects a complete idiot."