Hofportraitist des 18. Jahrhunderts

Pair of paintings PORTRAITS OF THE BAVARIAN RULING COUPLE KARL ALBRECHT, EMPEROR KARL VII (1697-1745) and MARIA AMALIE JOSEFA ANNA OF AUSTRIA (1701-1756) Oil on canvas. Each 84 x 68 cm. The Bavarian Elector Karl Albrecht was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1742 as Charles VII. His portrait of the ruler, on which the present painting is based, was created posthumously by the court painter George Desmarées around 1766. It can be seen today in Nymphenburg Palace. Shortened here in the lower part, it also shows the ruler with the imperial crown and the imperial insignia lying next to him. Above the armor is the blue sash of the Order of St. George, which he founded, and the chain of the Golden Fleece. Karl Albrecht was the son of Elector Max-Emanuel of Bavaria (1662-1726) and Therese-Kunigunde Sobieski, Princess of Poland (1676-1730). His reign took place during the turbulent period of the Wars of Succession with considerable financial losses. Nevertheless, he sought to demonstrate his imperial dignity through cultural achievements. The building of the Amalienburg Palace in Nymphenburg, for example, dedicated to his wife Maria Amalia, is one of the most important works of the Rococo period. Maria Amalia was the youngest daughter of Emperor Joseph I and Wilhelmine Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Her portrait also shows her with the imperial insignia and wearing an ermine. The pair of paintings here show a unity that belongs together. Like all of these workshop repetitions, they were intended to meet the need for portrait presence in numerous related ruling houses. (1401111) (11)