Portret van Felix zu Schwarzenberg 1822 - 1863

Lazarus Gottlieb Sichling created this print of Felix zu Schwarzenberg sometime in the mid-19th century. In this lithograph, the formal attire and stern gaze serve to reinforce Schwarzenberg's power and status as an Austrian statesman and military leader. The classical bust in the background further associates him with the authority of antiquity, a common visual trope in portraiture of the era. Produced during a period of significant political upheaval in Europe, this image reflects the conservative forces seeking to maintain the old order. Consider how lithography, as a relatively new and accessible medium, allowed for wider dissemination of such images, shaping public perception and solidifying the power of figures like Schwarzenberg. To fully understand this print, we can delve into the archives of the Austrian state, exploring official documents, personal letters, and other visual representations of Schwarzenberg. Through such investigation, we come to appreciate the ways in which art is embedded in the social and political context of its time.