Wilhelm Wartenegg In Einem Kostüm Des 17. Jahrhunderts 1871

Hans Canon painted this oil on canvas portrait of Wilhelm Wartenegg in a 17th-century costume. The sitter’s attire places him in the high society of the Dutch Golden Age. Canon was an Austrian artist active during a time when history painting was in decline, being replaced by portraiture. Although Canon was known for his history paintings, this artwork seems to belong to the tradition of the ‘portrait historié’, where people are painted wearing historical costumes. Canon was part of Vienna's artistic scene, which was shaped by the tastes of the upper classes. In a city where tradition and nobility held considerable sway, dressing up in period costumes was a way to connect with an idealized past. Historians look to archives, letters, and social records to explore the relationship between art and society. These sources help us understand the motivations of artists and patrons and how their work reflected or challenged the norms of their time.