Artwork
Portrait of Maria Theresia at the age of six.

Portrait of Maria Theresia at the age of six. is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Ádám Mányoki. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.
About this work
Overview
Ádám Mányoki’s oil portrait, executed in 1723, presents a young girl identified as Maria Theresia at the age of six. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Rendered in a relatively small format, the painting captures a moment of childhood innocence within the conventions of early eighteenth‑century court portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a six‑year‑old Maria Theresia, is shown with a soft smile, her hair gathered and accented by a modest floral arrangement. She wears a richly detailed pink gown with white sleeves, complemented by a blue shawl draped over her left shoulder. The inclusion of a bouquet in her right hand underscores themes of youth, fertility, and the future dynastic role she would later assume.
Technique & Style
This contrast of light and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence, typical of Baroque portraiture adapted to a courtly context.
Mányoki employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, setting the figure against a deep, muted background that accentuates the luminous quality of the child’s skin and the texture of her garments. The brushwork is fine in the facial features, while broader strokes convey the folds of the fabric. This contrast of light and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence, typical of Baroque portraiture adapted to a courtly context.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1723, the portrait entered the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Gallery, now known as the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on public display. Its provenance traces back to the Habsburg court, reflecting the practice of commissioning youthful portraits to document heirs and reinforce dynastic continuity during the early eighteenth century.
Artist & collection


















