Friday, November 2, 2012

Archduchess Mimi

Martin van Meytens  "Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria"  1750

Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1742-1798) was known to her family as "Mimi’. She was the fifth child and fourth daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa, and was openly known to be her favorite. This disparity in parental affection led to a certain coolness with her siblings. For instance, as an adult when Mimi visited her sister Queen Marie Antoinette she is said to have asked repeatedly to be allowed to see the Petit Trianon but her request was pointedly not granted. 
Although Mimi's artistic output is unknown, her doting parents were extremely proud  of her considerable artistic talents and this portrait of Mimi drawing was commissioned in 1750 from the artist Martin Van Meytens (1695 – 1770.) Van Meytens was born in Sweden and studied with his father, Martin Meytens the elder. Van Meytens the younger traveled around Europe further studying his craft and painting the aristocracy. He became more and more popular and in 1732 he was appointed the court painter of Austia. "His personal virtues, varied interests, erudition and pleasant manners were highly appreciated by his contemporaries." (quotation from Wikipedia)

5 comments:

Nancy Bea Miller said...

Her flying ribbons...that's the best detail!

Eliza Auth said...

This is how I always dress in the studio.

Fa y Stanford said...

I had a little sketchpad from the National Gallery with this image on the cover. I adored it!

Nancy Bea Miller said...

Oh, wow, Fay you are always ahead of the curve! Eliza, I can just see you in that skirt! ;-)

Christine @ Quilters Diary said...

Now THAT's what I call good posture! And imagine painting with those lace sleeves dragging all over everything. I guess she didn't do her own laundry.