Who painted Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII.?

Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII. was painted by Georg Desmarées in 1736.

Where can I see Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII.?

Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII. is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII.?

Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII. is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII.

Georg Desmarées , 1736

Kaiserin Maria Amalia, Gemahlin Kaiser Karls VII. is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Georg Desmarées. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Georg Desmarées painted this portrait in 1736, depicting a woman of high social standing seated before a dark backdrop. She is dressed in an opulent gown trimmed with fur and accented with pearl jewelry, her hands folded calmly across her lap while she looks straight at the viewer. The composition emphasizes her status through sumptuous attire and a restrained, dignified pose.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified as Empress Maria Amalia, consort of Emperor Charles VII. Her regal bearing and direct gaze convey both personal confidence and the political authority associated with her position. The inclusion of luxurious fabrics and pearls underscores her aristocratic rank, while the sober background focuses attention on her individual presence rather than decorative surroundings.

Technique & Style

Fine brushwork renders the texture of silk, fur, and pearls with meticulous detail, while the smooth handling of skin tones creates a lifelike quality.

Desmarées employs a restrained Baroque palette, using chiaroscuro to set the figure against a deep, almost black background. Fine brushwork renders the texture of silk, fur, and pearls with meticulous detail, while the smooth handling of skin tones creates a lifelike quality. The portrait follows contemporary courtly conventions, balancing realism with an idealized representation of noble elegance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1736, the work entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on 18th‑century German portraiture, and the painting has been documented in the museum’s catalogue as a significant example of Desmarées’ court commissions.