Porträt Franz I. Stephan, Kaiser des Heiligen Römischen Reiches (1708-1765)

Portrait of Franz I Stephan, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. On this sheet, the emperor is shown as a half-figure portrait to the left, the head facing to the right. His slightly high view passes the viewer to the left. In addition to an armor and a wig, he wears a cape of Hermelinfell, from which a piece becomes visible on his right shoulder. This is the only indication of his imperial dignity. The portrait is oval and rests on a pedestal. Franz I Stephan was first Duke of Lorraine and Bar from 1729 to 1736, Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1737 and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1745. The leaf was made as a copper engraving by the French eraser René Gaillard (1722-1790). The template is not known, only the abbreviation “Bn” appears on the left side of the leaf as a reference. It then became part of the 1777 publication, published by the Paris publisher Michel Odieuvre (1687-1756): “L ‘Europe illustre: contenant l’ histoire abrégée des souverains ().” Signature: Bn. Pinx. Gaillard Scul. Label: FRANC. ETIENE DE LORRAINE. Grand Duc de Toscane Ne le 8 Decembre 1708. (Stiftung Händel-Haus Halle Foundation)