Portret van Maria, keizerin van het Heilige Roomse Rijk 1676 - 1720

This is Johann Alexander Böner’s portrait of Maria, Holy Roman Empress, created with etching. Maria of Austria, who lived in the 18th century, inhabited a world of arranged marriages and complex political alliances. As a woman of power in the Holy Roman Empire, her identity was shaped by dynastic expectations and the pressure to produce a male heir. This print immortalizes her regal status, presenting an image of divine right and aristocratic privilege. Yet, behind the facade of power lies the personal experience of a woman navigating a male-dominated world. Consider the weight of the crown, not just as a symbol of authority, but as a marker of the gendered expectations placed upon her. This portrait invites us to reflect on the individual behind the imperial title. How did Maria perceive her role, and what constraints did she face as a female ruler?