Pose: Royal Bodies and Gendered Accoutrements in 18th Century Portraiture

Iconic royal figures have been a source of endless fascination for centuries. Before Instagram, Snapchat, and the selfie, eighteenth-century pop culture relied on portraiture to convey the likeness of queens and kings, as well as give a small glimpse into the life of a ruling monarch. This paper will explore eighteenth-century royal portraiture, specifically focusing on how the corporeal presence of queens differed from kings conveying a heavily gendered image and enduring legacy. Kings are almost always portrayed on horseback or jauntily standing, establishing an authoritative presence. Conversely, queens are traditionally styled in a manner emphasizing corporeal femininity while seated overtly gesturing toward some royal accoutrement to reinforce the authority and divine right of her queenship. A gentle smile accompanies accentuated breasts to ensure not only her image but authority as queen remain soft and passive. Collectively, eighteenth-century queens conveyed a conservative image styled around meek feminine religious symbolism while kings drew connections with the commanding presence and strength of saints. Examining the portraits of Queen Anne of Great Britain, Queen Consort Marie Antoinette, and Empress of Russia Catherine the Great in relation to their time and geographical location, this paper posits that portraiture was used to project a corporeal image and legacy of queens that centered around a manipulated narrative of conservative, religious, gendered tropes. Concluding with an examination of recent pop culture offerings featuring these iconic queens, this paper will consider the unique, unfiltered perspective into the image and characterization of these historic women.