Portret van Josef Redl 1828

Around 1828, Franz Stöber created this portrait of Josef Redl using graphite and possibly some other drawing medium. Stöber lived during a time of social and political upheaval, including the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of nationalism in Europe. The portrait captures Redl in a moment of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on his inner world. It is interesting to observe how Stöber's choice to depict Redl in this manner, might be a reflection of the changing attitudes towards the individual and the rise of Romanticism, which emphasized emotion and personal experience. This also intersects with the subject's position in society at the time. The traditional norms around portraiture emphasized the sitter's social status. Stöber challenges those norms through an alternative narrative of quiet contemplation, drawing attention to the humanity of the individual. Portraits like these serve as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between identity, representation, and historical context.