Portrait of Henriette Mankiewicz 1877

Hans Makart painted this oil on canvas portrait of Henriette Mankiewicz in Vienna at some point during his career. Makart was celebrated in his time as a ‘painter-prince’ and became famous for his opulent depictions of historical subjects, portraits, and interior designs. This portrait is quite typical of its time and place. The picture creates meaning through visual codes: Mankiewicz is presented as a wealthy and powerful woman, a member of the Viennese upper-middle class. Look at her ornate jewelry, her luxurious robe, and the vaguely classical architectural background – all these visual cues create an image of worldly success. As an artist, Makart was attuned to the art market, and he gave his clientele what they wanted. To get a sense of the conditions that made this work possible, it’s helpful to dig into the archives and consult sources such as exhibition reviews, biographical information on the artist, and social histories of the period. By looking at the institutional and social contexts, we can better understand how the work was made and received.