Marie Antionete [sic] D'Autriche, Reine de France et de Navarre, Nee a Vienna 2 November 1755

Art Historical Context

This striking graphic arts print portrays Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and Navarre, in a formal bust format. The title records her birth in Vienna on November 2 1755, underscoring her Austrian origins before she became a central figure in French royal history. Adorned with elegant jewelry that highlights her status, the image captures the queen’s poised and regal presence, typical of royal portraiture meant to convey authority and grace. Created by an unidentified European artist, the print belongs to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, gifted by John Gellatly. As a graphic print, it would have allowed the queen’s likeness to circulate widely, serving both as a commemorative object and a tool of royal image-making during a turbulent era leading up to the French Revolution. Visitors can appreciate how such works bridged European courts and broader audiences, preserving the memory of a figure whose life continues to fascinate. The emphasis on jewelry and formal pose reflects the conventions of 18th-century portraiture, blending personal iconography with political symbolism.