Querfurt, whose subjects include military encampments, cavalry skirmishes and hunting scenes was born in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. He first studied with his father, Tobias, and then with the military and battle painter Georg Philipp Rugendas in Augsburg. He was primarily an imitator – adapting the styles of Parrocel, ven der Meulen and Wouwermans. He died in Vienna. He painted eight battle pieces, depicting the events of the war of the Austrian Succession, for Marie Theresa (c. 1738-57, Museum of Military History, Vienna).

Maria Theresa (1717-80) was the eldest daughter of the Emperor Charles VI. She succeeded her father, becoming Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia and Holy Roman Empress and was a key figure in the power politics of eighteenth-century Europe. She had sixteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood, including Marie Antoinette, Queen of France.

She is depicted wearing Coronation robes and the crown of St Stephen, with the order of St Stephen at her breast; the turreted castle of Bratislava (then Pressburg) in the distance suggests the painting may celebrate her coronation at the city’s cathedral in 1741. The event took place on the 25 June 1741, at St Martin’s Cathedral and the new queen had spent months honing the necessary equestrian skills for the ceremony. She apparently assumed the masculine titles (of king and archduke) to appease those who considered her gender an obstacle to ruling. However, it is also recorded that in order to raise troops for her war efforts she appealed to the Hungarian people using womanly wiles, and theatrical techniques. She appealed to their emotions by holding her young son and heir in her arms and weeping, promising that he would defend the brave Hungarians as a king – an act which won sympathy and supporters.