Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Holy Roman Empress

Liotard employed the smooth surface of copper to achieve luminous, saturated hues that enhance the sheen of silk and fur. His handling of light is subtle, modeling the hair and textiles with delicate gradations that convey texture without resorting to dramatic chiaroscuro, reflecting his characteristic naturalistic approach within a Rococo aesthetic.

The Genevan painter Jean‑Étienne Liotard, active in cultural centers such as Vienna and Paris, produced this portrait as part of his series of court commissions. After remaining in private hands, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European portrait collection.