Portret van Maria Theresia, Rooms-Duits keizerin 1742

This mezzotint, by Pieter van Bleeck, portrays Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, and offers insights into the construction of power and gender roles in 18th-century Europe. The image creates meaning through visual codes that would have been immediately legible to contemporaries. Made in either the Netherlands or Great Britain, the portrait uses the visual language of monarchy to legitimize Maria Theresa's reign. Note the crown placed prominently to her right. Consider how specific features of that culture, such as historical events, social class, and political movements, might have influenced the artwork. As a woman ruler in a male-dominated world, Maria Theresa's image had to negotiate the politics of gender. The portrait projects authority but also emphasizes her femininity through delicate features and ornate clothing. The portrait’s inscription indicates it was “Addressed to the Right Honourable John Lord Carteret one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State.” This dedication suggests the print served a diplomatic function, reinforcing alliances through the circulation of the Empress’s image.