Maria Theresia smeekt om hulp bij de Rechtvaardigheid, 1742 1742

"Maria Theresia smeekt om hulp bij de Rechtvaardigheid" (Maria Theresa begs for help from Justice) is a Dutch broadside from 1742 by an anonymous artist. This etching depicts Maria Theresa, the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, kneeling before the figure of Justice, who is seated on a throne. The scene alludes to the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) in which Maria Theresa was fighting to preserve her inherited Habsburg territories. The artwork likely served as a propaganda tool for the Queen, illustrating her plight and appealing for support in the face of overwhelming odds. The detailed scene of the battle unfolding in the background, with soldiers fighting and cannons firing, further emphasizes the dangers faced by the queen and her realm.