Portrait of Katarzyna Potocka née Branicka 1852

Friedrich von Amerling painted this portrait of Katarzyna Potocka, née Branicka, sometime in the 19th century. Amerling was a well-known Austrian portrait painter, in demand by the upper classes of society. This image creates meaning through visual codes associated with wealth and status. It presents Katarzyna Potocka as a member of the Polish aristocracy, a group with significant social and economic power at the time. The artist's meticulous attention to detail in rendering her clothing and jewelry serves to emphasize her elevated social standing. Amerling's portraits are examples of the institution of patronage, where artists depend on commissions from wealthy elites to make a living. The artwork is a document of its time, reflecting the social structures and power dynamics of 19th-century Europe. It portrays a conservative vision of social order. To truly understand this artwork, we can consult historical records, letters, and other primary sources to gain insight into the social and institutional context in which it was created.