Portrait of Marie Henneberg 1902

Gustav Klimt painted this portrait of Marie Henneberg, wife of the well-known doctor and mathematician Hugo Henneberg, in Vienna. The portrait, with its square format and the sitter’s direct gaze, embodies the self-assuredness of Vienna’s upper middle class at the turn of the century. The sitter's elaborate dress hints at the social ambitions and artistic interests of Viennese society in this period. Klimt’s modern, expressive style suggests the couple's progressive outlook. Patrons like the Hennebergs actively participated in Vienna’s flourishing cultural scene, supporting artists associated with the Secession movement. Looking at Klimt's painting through a social lens, we can consider patronage records, letters, and exhibition reviews to enrich our understanding. These resources reveal the complex network of relationships that shaped artistic production at that time. They also highlight the critical role of the upper middle class in fostering the avant-garde.