Empress Maria Theresa
around 1750
Empress Maria Theresa commands the room in a gown so wide she practically has her own zip code! Painted by her favorite court artist Martin van Meytens around 1750, she wears a striking blue bodice and gestures casually toward her crown and scepter, as if they were mere accessories. The massive white skirt, heavy with gold embroidery, and the ermine-lined cloak are the ultimate 18th-century power move, screaming Habsburg wealth. Yet, her expression remains surprisingly serene, capturing the confidence of a ruler who held a vast empire together through sheer willpower.