Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Holy Roman Empress

About this artwork

: ‘2e essai’

Art Historical Context

### Maria Theresa: A Regal Enamel Portrait Jean-Etienne Liotard, a Swiss-born artist renowned for his meticulous rococo portraits in pastel and enamel, captured Archduchess Maria Theresa in striking 1747 work. Titled *Maria Theresa, Archduchess of, Queen of Hungary and, and Holy Roman Empress the painting depicts the formidable ruler during her early reign, a period marked by the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748). Liotard, who resided in Vienna from 1743 to 1753, became a favored court painter to the Habsburgs, blending Eastern influences from his travels with precise European realism. Crafted in enamel on copper—a rare and technically demanding medium for such a large scale (62 × 51 cm)—this piece showcases Liotard's mastery of the vitreum technique. Firing powdered glass onto metal created a luminous, jewel-like durability ideal for royal commissions, far surpassing traditional oils in vibrancy and permanence. Noted as the "2e essai" (second attempt), it hints at Liotard's iterative process, refining details to perfection for the Rijksmuseum's collection. Maria Theresa's image symbolizes enlightened absolutism and female sovereignty in a male-dominated era, her poised gaze reflecting the cultural zenith of 18th-century Vienna. This enamel endures as a testament to artistic innovation and imperial legacy, inviting visitors to ponder a queen who reshaped Europe.

About the Artist

Jean-Etienne Liotard · 1692–1789

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