Portret van Maria Theresia, Rooms-Duits keizerin 1745

This is a print of Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, by Felix Polonzani. This image gives us insight into the construction of royal identity, particularly for women in positions of power. Maria Theresa, the only woman to hold the position of Holy Roman Empress, faced unique challenges in a world dominated by men. Her reign, beginning in 1740, was marked by wars of succession where her right to rule was questioned because of her gender. Yet, through strategic alliances and political maneuvering, she secured her position and left a lasting legacy. Notice how Polonzani's print embodies her power. Positioned under an arch framed by classical columns, Maria Theresa sits as a stateswoman dressed in royal garments with the imperial crown displayed beside her. Here, Maria Theresa is not merely a woman, but the embodiment of an empire. This print reflects the complex interplay between personal identity and political power, revealing the strategies employed to legitimize female leadership in a male-dominated world.