Kadicha, legendary Hungarian military leader 1828

Josef Kriehuber made this print of Kadicha, the legendary Hungarian military leader, some time in the 19th century. This image of a historic figure participates in a wider visual culture of nationalism and romanticism. Looking at the image, we see the idealized portrayal of a military leader, complete with traditional Hungarian attire. Consider the cultural and historical associations that are brought into play here. Hungary had a very specific history of conflict with the Ottoman Empire, which may be hinted at in Kadicha's dress. The institutional history of art academies would also be relevant here, as they provided a space for the professionalization of artists like Kriehuber, but also contributed to the construction of national identity. How might this image of Kadicha comment on the social structures of its own time? By researching the history of Hungary, the history of Ottoman Empire and also the function of art academies, we can better understand the meaning of this print. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.