Portret van Maria Theresia, Rooms-Duits keizerin 1810

This print, titled "Portret van Maria Theresia, Rooms-Duits keizerin", was created by Giovanni Vendramini. It depicts Maria Theresa, the only female ruler of the Habsburg Empire, who reigned during a time of significant political and social change in Europe. Maria Theresa's identity as a woman in a position of power challenged traditional gender roles. Her reign was marked by wars, political maneuvering, and diplomatic efforts to maintain the power of the Habsburg dynasty, which had implications for the lives of countless individuals. The print reflects a society grappling with evolving concepts of leadership, gender, and national identity. It encapsulates the complexities of representing powerful female figures in a historical period defined by patriarchal structures. The work invites contemplation about the representation of power, gender, and identity during the 18th century.