Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg 1838

Moritz Michael Daffinger painted this watercolor of Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg in Vienna in 1838. The portrait aesthetic codes mark him as a member of the aristocracy, part of the ruling class in the Austrian Empire. Daffinger was a leading portraitist in Vienna, catering to the aristocratic elite. This was a period defined by political conservatism under Chancellor Metternich, who sought to suppress liberal and nationalist movements. The Biedermeier era, as it's known, saw the cultivation of domesticity and family values, yet beneath the surface, revolutionary ideas were brewing. The commission and display of this image can be understood through the lens of institutional history. The portrait reinforced the prince’s status and was a demonstration of power. To fully understand the portrait's significance, historians consult primary sources, such as letters, diaries, and newspapers, alongside secondary scholarship on Austrian history and art. The meaning of art shifts depending on its social and institutional context.