Self-Portrait 1868

This is Hans Canon’s self-portrait from 1868. Canon was part of a generation of artists working in Austria during a time of social transformation. The old aristocratic order was slowly giving way to a new, industrial and more democratic society. Canon worked in that transition, as a military painter, a portraitist and history painter. Here, Canon presents himself with a certain self-confidence. His penetrating gaze and the dark background emphasize his status as a serious artist. Canon, who was ennobled in 1879, became one of the most sought-after portrait painters of the Viennese Ringstraßen era. In interpreting a work like this, we look at its historical context, the social and political conditions that shaped its creation and reception. We also investigate the artist's biography, archival material, and contemporary criticism to understand the artist's intentions and the cultural significance of their work. All this can help us appreciate the complex relationship between art and society.