Portraits of Maria Theresa of Habsburg and Francis I of Lorraine, Martin van Meytens (Stockholm 1695 – Vienna 1770)

Martin van Meytens (Stockholm 1695 – Vienna 1770)

Portrait of Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg (Vienna 1717 – 1780), oil on canvas (her) – 42 x 36 – Framed 50 x 44

Portrait of Emperor Francis I of Lorraine (1708 – 1765), oil on canvas (him) – 40 x 34 – Framed 48 x 40

Full details of the artworks (click HERE)

Our gallery is pleased to present this valuable pair of portraits depicting the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa of Habsburg (Vienna 1717 – 1780) and her husband Francis Stephen of Lorraine (1708 – 1765).

The two canvases are distinguished by an executive skill that denotes the work of an author of great talent: in particular, for the quality and refinement of the style, they can easily be attributed to the court painter Martin van Meytens (Stockholm 1695 – Vienna 1770), one of the most significant portrait painters of his time, and for this reason sought after by the most illustrious European courts as well as by the imperial family.

A Swedish painter naturalized as an Austrian, Van Meytens became famous for being the official portraitist of the Viennese court (from 1732) during the golden age of the eighteenth century, portraying the Austrian empress and her consort on numerous occasions.

His works are characterised by a precise and detailed representation of 18th century court fashion, showing exquisite lace and embroidery and the present painting is an excellent example of this.

Maria Theresa, an enlightened sovereign, who 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 modern and competitive thanks to a series of reforms in the name of enlightened absolutism.

In our canvas, Her Royal Highness is dressed in a formal dress, trimmed with lace and brocade, her shoulders are wrapped in a red velvet cloak with an ermine flap and many precious jewels, including earrings and a hair clip with drop-shaped diamonds and a precious three-strand pearl bracelet with a portrait with a cameo with the portrait of her husband, a detail of exceptional refinement.

Francis Stephen of Lorraine married Maria Theresa in 1736, thus founding the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, which ruled Austria and the Habsburg hereditary states until the First World War. Their union produced sixteen children, including the future emperors Joseph II and Leopold II and the queens Maria Carolina of Naples and Marie Antoinette of France.

The ruler, portrayed half-length, is instead immortalized with a sumptuous ceremonial armor, surmounted by a cloak lined with purple velvet and ermine, closed on the chest by a precious diamond brooch, which descends covering the right arm, with which he holds the baton of command. Behind him is the crown, his royal attribute.

The works are presented in an excellent state of conservation, with gilded wooden frames.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The paintings are sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of 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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