Who painted Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745)?

Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745) was painted by Georg Desmarées in 1736.

Where can I see Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745)?

Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745) is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745)?

Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745)

Georg Desmarées , 1736

Kurfürst Karl Albrecht als Kaiser Karl VII. (1697-1745) 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 the Bavarian elector Charles Albert in his imperial guise as Charles VII. Executed in oil on canvas, the work now belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The composition presents the sitter in elaborate court dress, set against a dark, cloud‑filled sky that heightens the figure’s prominence.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is Charles Albert (1697–1745), who rose from Elector of Bavaria to Holy Roman Emperor in 1742. His attire—fur trim, a blue sash, and an array of medals—signals his political authority and military achievements. The scepter and crown motifs reinforce his claim to imperial legitimacy, while the sword suggests martial power.

Technique & Style

Desmarées employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a focused light to illuminate the sitter’s face and regalia against the somber backdrop. The rendering of fabrics and metallic surfaces shows meticulous attention to texture, while the soft modeling of the flesh conveys a subtle naturalism typical of mid‑18th‑century court portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after Charles VII’s coronation, the portrait likely served a dynastic purpose, celebrating his elevated status. It entered the Bavarian royal collection and was transferred to the Alte Pinakothek when the museum was founded in the early 19th century, where it has remained on public display.

Context

The painting reflects the broader European trend of portraying sovereigns with regal insignia to assert legitimacy during a period of contested imperial authority. Desmarées, a Swedish‑born artist active in Munich, was known for his court commissions, and this work exemplifies the political portraiture that reinforced the visual language of power in the Enlightenment era.