Baron Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, Great Austrian (vice)admiral 1866

Editor: So here we have Josef Kriehuber's 1866 drawing of Baron Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, a pretty important Austrian admiral, rendered with what looks like graphite. The crisp detail really makes his uniform and sideburns stand out. What can you tell me about why this portrait was made? Curator: Well, the creation and widespread distribution of portraits like these served very specific socio-political functions in 19th-century Europe. Tegetthoff was a national hero after the Battle of Lissa in 1866, the very same year as this portrait. Consider the public hunger for images of heroes during periods of nationalism. Editor: So this image wasn’t necessarily about capturing his likeness alone? Curator: Exactly. Kriehuber was a sought-after portraitist precisely because he could create images that elevated the subject, turning them into symbols. This drawing, reproduced as a lithograph, would have been widely circulated, reinforcing Tegetthoff's image as a strong leader and bolstering Austrian national pride after a victorious, albeit relatively minor, naval battle. What message do you think his severe expression is meant to convey? Editor: That’s a great question. Perhaps it’s conveying a sense of duty and strength, to instill confidence? Also, it is interesting to see a drawing used for such a propaganda purpose rather than something painted, for example. Curator: Yes, precisely! The relative ease and affordability of reproducing drawings like these contributed significantly to shaping public perceptions of key figures and events in a way that grand paintings simply couldn’t achieve. Editor: This makes me think a lot about the role of accessible imagery in constructing narratives about power, especially during times of conflict or social change. Thanks, I never considered it like that. Curator: Absolutely. Seeing art through a historical lens transforms our understanding of not just the artwork itself, but its impact on society.