Artwork

Kaiserin Maria Theresia (1717-1780) with the Statue of the Friedens

Kaiserin Maria Theresia (1717-1780) with the Statue of the Friedens is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Anton von Maron. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Anton von Mar’s 1772 oil painting presents Empress Maria Theresa seated in an interior space.

About this work

Overview

Anton von Mar’s 1772 oil painting presents Empress Maria Theresa seated in an interior space. She is dressed in a dark, formally cut gown trimmed with lace at the neckline and cuffs, and she holds an open book. Behind her stands a tall, draped classical statue that bears a mirror, while the room is illuminated by a warm, subdued light and a red rug covers the floor.

Subject & Meaning

The work identifies the Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa (1717–1780) as the central figure, emphasizing her role as a learned and pious sovereign through the presence of the book. The accompanying statue, traditionally interpreted as an allegory of peace, reinforces the political stability associated with her reign, while the mirror may allude to reflection or truth.

Technique & Style

Maron employs a chiaroscuro scheme, contrasting the soft illumination on the empress and the statue with deeper shadows in the surrounding space. The careful rendering of textures—silk dress, lace trim, and marble surface—demonstrates a refined academic approach typical of late 18th‑century Viennese portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1772, the portrait entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on documenting Habsburg patronage and the artistic output of court painters such as Maron.