Portret van Stephanie von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, koningin van Portugal 1859

Carl Mayer made this portrait of Stephanie von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Queen of Portugal, sometime in the mid-19th century. It captures not just her likeness, but also the societal expectations placed on a royal figure. Made during a time of shifting social structures, the portrait employs visual codes that reinforce Stephanie's status. Note the pearls, flowers, and lace – each element meticulously rendered to convey elegance and refinement. The lithograph was made in the Netherlands, at a time when photography was becoming increasingly popular, but printed portraits like this still circulated widely. The portrait served to disseminate an image of the Queen across Europe. Analyzing such works involves considering the social conditions that shape artistic production. How do institutions like royal courts or the art market influence what gets created and who gets portrayed? By delving into these questions, we can better understand art's role in reflecting and shaping social norms. Historians can look to archives, letters, and other documents to enrich our understanding.