Toegangsportaal van Palais Batthyány te Wenen before 1894

This anonymous photograph shows the entrance portal of Palais Batthyány in Vienna. The Palais, or palace, is a visible marker of aristocratic power. Looking at the image, we can consider the social conditions that shaped its production. Vienna, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was known for its grand architecture that displayed the wealth and power of the ruling elite. The Batthyány family, being one of the most prominent noble families in Hungary, would have commissioned such a building to assert their status. The photograph itself, as a medium, also plays a role. Its circulation through books or journals makes visible the social structures of the time. Architectural photography like this can be seen as self-consciously conservative, reinforcing existing hierarchies. To understand this artwork better, we can research the history of the Batthyány family, the architectural trends in Vienna during the time the palace was constructed, and the role of photography in shaping public perception of social class.