Portrait of Maria Theresa of Austria 

Jean-Étienne Liotard rendered this pastel portrait of Maria Theresa of Austria, a prominent figure in 18th-century European politics and one of the only women to rule the Habsburg Empire. Portraits of powerful women during this period often served to legitimize their rule, yet Liotard captures Maria Theresa with a rare sense of humanity. Eschewing overly idealized or symbolic representations, Liotard's naturalistic style suggests a modern sensibility. The simplicity of her dress, devoid of ostentatious displays of wealth or power, further humanizes her, presenting her more as an individual than a monarch. There is an interesting tension here between Maria Theresa's identity as a woman and her role as a sovereign. While her gender may have presented challenges in a patriarchal society, she skillfully navigated the political landscape, leveraging her position to advance her family's interests and shape the course of European history. What does it mean to rule and to be seen?