Portrait of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa [1744] During her long creative life, Lyotard created many portraits. Among the best is the portrait of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, written in 1744 in Vienna and repeated later in the technique of enamel and bone miniature.
The Empress wanted the artist to depict her as demanded by her high rank – on a horse or in her study. However, Lyotard refused, citing the fact that he could not do it. He painted the portrait in his own way, without the idealization characteristic of rocaille portraits.
In Maria Theresa, there is neither royalty or grandeur. She looks like a mother of a family with a pleasant but rustic face and big hands. In 1745, the famous “Chocolate Girl” was also painted in Vienna, and a few years later, in 1749, the “Self-Portrait” was the best of a series of self-portraits in the “a la Turk” costume.
Lyotard portrayed himself at the moment of creative inspiration. His eyes are carefully studying the invisible model, and his hand with a pencil is ready to capture its features. The stress of a person absorbed in work was conveyed with great convincingness: a half-open mouth, burning eyes. It is remarkable, as always, skill in the transfer of different fabrics, hair, skin.
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