Portret van Camillo Heinirch von Starhemberg Possibly 1880 - 1884

This is an undated portrait of Camillo Heinrich von Starhemberg by an anonymous artist. Note how the artist uses a primarily vertical composition, typical of portraiture, yet infuses it with rich color and texture. The subject's elaborate attire draws our eye, with its plush velvet cloak and ornate details. This costume seems to destabilize the traditional function of portraiture, to memorialize the sitter. Instead, the use of clothing serves as a visual code. Here, the layered textures and colors create a semiotic system of signs, indicative of status and perhaps, theatricality. Finally, the texture invites consideration. The artist uses detailed brushwork to distinguish velvet from metal, or the smoothness of the skin. This contrast not only enhances the visual interest, but also emphasizes the material culture and the signs of power and privilege in this unique portrait.