Portrait of the Emperor Francis I
Artist
Martin van Meytens II
(Swedish, 1695 – 1770)
Dateca. 1745–1750
CultureSwedish; Austrian
MediumOil on canvas
ClassificationPaintings
ProvenanceBarrone de Vaux, Paris to 1927; Edgar Mills to 1930; sale Marx, New York, November 11, 1930 (no. 307 as Attributed to Von Meytens, Maria Theresa of Astri); purchased by John Ringling
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN326
Francis I is shown in full ceremonial regalia, like his wife Empress Maria-Theresa in the pendant work. He wears an embroidered costume adorned with the Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalric order founded in the 15th century. The scepter he holds symbolizes royal dominion, and the Imperial crown on the table was made for Conrad II (c. 990-1039), the first ruler of the Salian dynasty to become Holy Roman Emperor. In 1726, Meytens became a favorite artist at the Viennese court and painted several portraits of the royal couple.
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