Portrait of August Streng 1873

Albert Edelfelt painted this oil on canvas portrait of August Streng sometime around the late 19th century. The sober black suit, the carefully groomed mustache and hair, these visual cues tell us something of Streng’s status and role within society. Finland at the time, though part of the Russian Empire, was undergoing a period of cultural and economic development. As the country modernized, a wealthy, influential middle class began to emerge. Portraits like this one served to reinforce the status of this new social class. They were displayed in public institutions and private homes, shaping and reflecting the cultural values of the time. To understand this work more fully, we can consult archival documents, social histories, and studies of Finnish art institutions during the 19th century. By understanding the social context of the painting, we gain insight into the complex relationship between art, power, and identity.