Artwork

Infantin Maria Anna (1606-1646), Kaiserin, in ganzer Figur mit ihrem erstgeborenen Sohn Ferdinand (1633-1654)

Infantin Maria Anna (1606-1646), Kaiserin, in ganzer Figur mit ihrem erstgeborenen Sohn Ferdinand (1633-1654) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This oil painting depicts Infantin Maria Anna with her eldest son Ferdinand.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of the young prince emphasizes the security of the succession, a critical political concern for the imperial family during the Thirty Years' War.

This full-length oil portrait depicts Maria Anna of Spain (1606–1646), who became Holy Roman Empress, alongside her eldest son, Ferdinand (1633–1654). Executed in 1634, the work functions as a dynastic statement, visually asserting the continuity of the Habsburg line through the representation of the mother and her heir. The inclusion of the young prince emphasizes the security of the succession, a critical political concern for the imperial family during the Thirty Years' War.

By presenting the figures in a formal, standing pose, the painting underscores their royal status and the weight of their lineage.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard support for 17th-century European portraiture. The work measures 195 cm in height and 130 cm in width, reflecting a full-length format that emphasizes the imperial status of the sitter. Rendered circa 1634, the composition displays formal courtly attire and a direct gaze, conveying both regal authority and maternal tenderness toward the infant Ferdinand.

The stylistic approach aligns with Habsburg portrait conventions of the period, characterized by precise anatomical rendering and rich coloration.

History & Provenance

The oil-on-canvas portrait of Infanta Maria Anna and her son Ferdinand was created in 1634. The work is attributed to an Austrian artist associated with the collection at Schloss Ambras in Innsbruck. It is currently held in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains part of the permanent collection. The painting measures 195 cm in height and 130 cm in width.

The painting is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Its inventory number is not specified in the sources. It has been exhibited under the title 'Infantin Maria Anna (1606-1646), Kaiserin, in ganzer Figur mit ihrem erstgeborenen Sohn Ferdinand (1633-1654)' in at least one exhibition, though specific exhibition names and dates are not provided in the source material.

Overview

This oil painting depicts Infantin Maria Anna with her eldest son Ferdinand. The scene is characterized by the use of rich colors and textures, with the subjects seated in a formal, ornate setting.