Portret van gravin Marie Felicie von Colloredo-Mannsfeld Possibly 1880 - 1884

This portrait of Countess Marie Felicie von Colloredo-Mannsfeld was created by an anonymous artist, using a printing technique that allowed for the addition of color. The Countess's elaborate costume might strike us as theatrical today, but in its time it would have clearly signaled her high social standing. Indeed, this portrait speaks to the role of art in cementing class distinctions and communicating wealth. The artist's anonymity is also telling, reflecting a hierarchical art world in which the status of the sitter far outweighed the importance of the maker. To fully understand this portrait, we could delve into genealogical records to learn more about the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family, or study fashion plates from the era to understand the nuances of aristocratic dress. By situating art within its social and institutional context, we gain a much richer understanding of its meaning and function.