Franciscus van der Steen after Joachim von Sandrart: The Triumph of Ferdinand III (allegory on Emperor Ferdinand III and his family)

This mythological group portrait shows Emperor Ferdinand III enthroned on an eagle and holding a fulmen (thunderbolt) in his left hand. Above him hover his two deceased wives, Maria Anna and Maria Leopoldine, representing Juno and Ceres. At the far right stands his wife Eleonora Gonzaga in armour as Bellona. Opposite her, also wearing armour, is the emperor’s brother, Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, as Mars. The other figures represent Ferdinand’s the children: the later emperor Ferdinand IV as Apollo and his sister Maria Anna as Athene. The youngest child, Leopold, hovers aloft in the shape of Cupid. The painting was intended to glorify the imperial Austrian dynasty.