Charles VII (1697-1745) Charles Albrecht Wittelsbach, son of the Elector of Bavaria Maximilian II Emanuel and Theresa Kunegunda Sobieska. Grandson of King John III Sobieski of Poland. Born in the Netherlands, he began his political career as a soldier. In 1717 he took part in the war against Turkey. In 1722 Charles Albrecht married Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria, daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I and niece of Emperor Charles VI. The couple had seven children together. In 1726, after the death of his father, he assumes the throne of Bavaria. In 1741, he conquers Prague and briefly assumes the throne of Bohemia. In 1742, Charles was elected emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He ruled until his death three years later. Here he is depicted wearing a richly embroidered waistcoat, with a long, fringed wig and a hat with a turned-up brim. The attire is complemented by the Order of St George, suspended from a chain on his chest, instituted by Charles Albrecht in 1729 when when he reigned as Elector of Bavaria. [ZPS]