For 40 years in the mid 18th century, Empress Maria Theresa governed the Habsburg Empire, a multilingual confederation of states led by Austria. Though now appreciated as a strong historical figure, she remains absent from art history, despite her notable role in shaping Europe's diplomatic, artistic, and cultural developments—an oversight Michael Yonan corrects in this beautifully illustrated book. Maria Theresa inherited her power directly through birthright, and Yonan considers how the art and architecture she commissioned, and the objects she incorporated into court life, helped redefine the idea of a sovereign monarch and reinforce her right to rule, yet also allowed for flexibility among her unusual, sometimes conflicting roles.