Maria, née Czernin, and her daughter Wilhelmine Kinsky. Countess. 1844

Josef Kriehuber created this lithograph, titled "Maria, née Czernin, and her daughter Wilhelmine Kinsky. Countess.” In the 19th century, portraiture was a powerful tool for the upper classes to assert their identity, status, and lineage, as we see here in this depiction of an aristocratic mother and daughter. Yet, portraits of women and children often reinforced limited social roles and expectations. Maria's serene composure and elegant dress reflect the era's emphasis on women's virtue and domesticity. While Wilhelmine's youth is captured with a certain innocence, her small bouquet and poised demeanor also signal her upbringing in a world of social expectations. Kriehuber's work, while seemingly traditional, offers a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity and representation during this time. It prompts us to consider the agency of women and children within the constraints of their social milieu. How might their lives have extended beyond the boundaries of this carefully constructed image?