Der Landschaftsmaler Ignaz Raffalt als Falstaff 1853

Friedrich von Amerling painted "The landscape painter Ignaz Raffalt as Falstaff" in the 19th century. The portrait references Shakespeare's character, Falstaff, an overweight, comical figure. Here, Raffalt is depicted not in his everyday attire, but in a theatrical costume, complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a feathered plume. This costuming and portrayal of Raffalt can be seen as a commentary on the role of the artist in society, and how the artist viewed his own persona. The painting presents interesting questions: Is Amerling critiquing the art world or celebrating its eccentricity? Are the institutions of art self-consciously conservative or progressive? To fully understand this work, we need to look at the cultural context of 19th-century Vienna, examining the relationship between artists and their patrons, and the rise of Romanticism. Exploring the history of the Viennese art scene and studying the biographies of Amerling and Raffalt might further reveal the nuances of this portrait.