This formal oil painting depicts Empress Maria Theresa, captured in a regal three-quarter view. She sits with a poised, confident expression, her gaze directed toward the viewer. Her dark hair is styled upward and adorned with an intricate, glittering tiara, and she wears matching drop earrings that catch the light.
She is dressed in an elegant gown of muted slate-blue silk, accented by a high, ruffled white lace collar and voluminous lace cuffs that drape over her forearms. Draped over her shoulders is a rich, textured ochre and deep red mantle. In her right hand, she rests her fingers atop a tall scepter, positioned near a bejeweled royal crown placed on a velvet cushion. She sits in an ornate, high-backed wooden chair with gilded details.
The background is dark and indistinct, focusing all visual weight on the subject and her fine garments. The lighting is focused and dramatic, highlighting the sheen of the fabric, the delicate translucence of the lace, and the fine jewelry, typical of 18th-century court portraiture. The composition is balanced and dignified, conveying the authority and status of an empress.