Portrait of Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg (Vienna 1717 - Vienna 1780)

Oil painting on canvas

cm. 42 x 33

With antique frame (slight defects) cm. 55 x 45

Our gallery is pleased to present this beautiful portrait depicting the Austrian empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg (Vienna 1717 - Vienna 1780) which, for quality and style, is easily attributable to the workshop of Martin van Maytens (Stockholm 1695 - Vienna 1770) .

Austrian naturalized Swedish painter, Van Meytens became famous for being the official portraitist, together with Johann Gottfried Auerbach (Mühlhausen 1697- Vienna 1753), of the Viennese court during the heyday of the eighteenth century, portraying the same empress on numerous occasions: l he most famous work is undoubtedly the large canvas, dated 1759, kept at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and the one kept at the royal palace of Schönbrunn also in Vienna.

Maria Theresa, enlightened sovereign, ascended to the throne by the will of her father Charles VI of Habsburg and against the opinion of the European rulers, made the empire a modern and competitive state thanks to a series of modern reforms in the name of enlightened absolutism.

Young and determined, Maria Theresa of Austria inherited a state in crisis due to diplomatic failures and military defeats, now close to decline; nevertheless, she managed to establish herself in an environment that was previously forbidden to women by law, inaugurating a long and important reign and with a significant international role.

In our canvas the Royal Highness is dressed in a formal dress, trimmed with lace and brocade, on her shoulders a red velvet cloak with an ermine lapel and many precious jewels, including rows of pearls that surround her neck and drop pearl earrings. She wears her hair tied up and held in place by a very rich pearl clasp, the same precious stones set in the brooch placed on the generous neckline of the dress.

Martin van Meytens

He was born on June 16, 1695 in Stockholm. In 1714 he went to England where he could study the portraiture of Anton van Dyck, by whom he was certainly influenced, and where he learned enamel painting.

In 1717 he obtained the first important commissions from August II of Poland, also derived from his great skill in portraiture and miniatures (works he also performed for Tsar Peter the Great). In 1721 he moved to Vienna where he obtained commissions from the Emperor Charles VI, and remained for two years before leaving in 1723 for Italy.

In Italy he was in Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Modena, Milan, Turin and Genoa. In particular during his Roman period he collaborated on works for Benedict XIII.

From 1731 he was officially welcomed into the Viennese court, becoming court painter of the royal family starting from 1740 with the accession to the throne of Maria Theresa of Austria, who commissioned him eight official portraits during his life , centered on his person alone. In 1759 he was appointed Director of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.

He therefore remained in Vienna until March 23, 1770, the date of his death.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is completed by a pleasant gilded wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

Contact us for any information, we will be happy to answer you.

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