Mary with Biedermeier hut 1910

Franz von Stuck painted this portrait of a woman in a Biedermeier hat during the late 19th or early 20th century. The woman's attire deliberately references the Biedermeier era of the early to mid-1800s, which was a time of relative peace and growing middle-class affluence in German-speaking countries. Yet, by the late 19th century, the rapid industrialization and social changes sweeping through Europe had transformed society. It’s likely that von Stuck is using the imagery of the earlier era to evoke a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, or to offer a critique of the modern world. This image presents a striking contrast between tradition and modernity, reflecting the tensions of a society grappling with progress and change. To fully understand the painting, we can turn to period literature, fashion plates, and social histories. By examining these resources, we can better understand how von Stuck’s art was both a product of, and a commentary on, the society in which he lived.