Artwork

Bildnis der Maria Anna, Gemahlin des Kurfürsten Max III. Joseph von Bayern (Werkstatt)

Bildnis der Maria Anna, Gemahlin des Kurfürsten Max III. Joseph von Bayern (Werkstatt) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Georg Desmarées. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

The work is an oil painting executed around 1760, attributed to the workshop of Georg Desmarées. It portrays Maria Anna, the consort of Elector Max III Joseph of Bavaria, and is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The portrait presents the sitter in a formal pose against a subdued, darkened backdrop that recedes gently into shadow.

Subject & Meaning

Maria Anna is shown wearing a white dress trimmed with delicate lace, a red sash across her chest, and a decorative brooch.

Maria Anna is shown wearing a white dress trimmed with delicate lace, a red sash across her chest, and a decorative brooch. Her hair is arranged in an up‑do, complemented by modest earrings. The compositional focus on her refined attire and poised demeanor underscores her status as a high‑ranking noblewoman and reflects the courtly ideals of elegance and virtue prevalent in mid‑18th‑century Bavaria.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil on canvas, the painting employs a limited palette that emphasizes the contrast between the luminous white garments and the deep, atmospheric background. Subtle gradations of tone create a sense of depth, while the handling of fabric and lace demonstrates a careful attention to texture. The overall style aligns with the restrained, courtly portraiture typical of Desmarées' circle.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1760, the portrait entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Desmarées' workshop rather than the master himself reflects common practice of the period, wherein studio assistants contributed to portraits of aristocratic patrons. The painting has been catalogued under the museum's inventory number Q30057343.