Portret van Maria Theresia, koningin van Frankrijk 1655 - 1700

Jan van Somer rendered this portrait of Maria Theresa, Queen of France, using engraving to give strong definition to the overall form. Notice how the oval format creates an immediate boundary, focusing our attention on the Queen's formal presentation. Somer masterfully uses line and texture to convey Maria Theresa's status. The meticulous rendering of her elaborate curls and the pearl jewelry underscores the formality of the period. The artist's structural system relies on a play between the dark background and the light reflecting off the Queen's garments and face. Consider how this portrait, through its calculated composition and ornate detail, constructs a very particular image of power and royalty. Somer's use of engraving, with its emphasis on linearity and precision, does not just depict but actively embodies the values of order and decorum associated with the French court. The portrait, therefore, functions as both an image and an idea.