Schip van Maria Theresia (koningin van Frankrijk), 1660 1660 - 1662

Lucas Vorsterman the Younger made this print in 1660. It shows the ship used by Maria Theresa, the Queen of France, as she travelled from Spain to France. The ship is adorned with allegorical scenes, suggesting the wealth, power, and divine favor associated with royalty. In seventeenth-century Europe, art was entwined with the spectacle of state. This print served as propaganda, reinforcing the image of a powerful, divinely sanctioned monarchy. The lavish decoration of the ship mirrors the Baroque style prevalent in the art of the time, a style embraced by the French court to project authority. The scene plays out in the context of international diplomacy. Maria Theresa's marriage to Louis XIV was part of a political settlement between France and Spain, countries that had been at war for decades. The image's cultural significance goes beyond mere aesthetics. To further understand this print, we can explore primary sources, such as diplomatic correspondence or records of royal ceremonies. These will provide insights into the role of visual culture in shaping perceptions of power and legitimacy.