Marie Paterno, geb. Nemetschke, später Amerling, bzw. Hoyos 1870

Friedrich von Amerling painted this portrait of Marie Paterno, née Nemetschke, sometime in the 19th century. She was later known by the surnames Amerling and Hoyos, a detail which gestures towards the shifting identities women navigated through marriage. In this piece, Marie's presentation adheres to the aesthetic standards of the time, with her delicate features and elaborate dress signaling her elevated social status. Yet, it's crucial to consider the role of portraiture in shaping perceptions of women in this era. Often, portraits served to reinforce societal expectations and gender roles. How did women like Marie negotiate their identities within these constraints? Amerling's approach to portraiture reflects the romanticism of his time, yet, through a contemporary lens, we might question the power dynamics inherent in the act of painting a woman who is defined by her relationship to men. What does it mean to reclaim these images and re-imagine the stories of the women depicted?