Artwork

The actress Josefa Hortensia Füger, the wife of the artist

The actress Josefa Hortensia Füger, the wife of the artist, by Heinrich Füger, oil, 1799
The actress Josefa Hortensia Füger, the wife of the artist, by Heinrich Füger, oil, 1799

The actress Josefa Hortensia Füger, the wife of the artist is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Heinrich Füger. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

The actress Josefa Hortensia Füger, the wife of the artist is a portrait painted in oil by Heinrich Friedrich Füger in 1799.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Füger's wife, Josefa Hortensia, dressed in dark attire with a white ruffled collar and red headband, holding an open book. The subject is presented in a contemplative pose, with her face illuminated by a soft, directional light.

Technique & Style

The artist employed chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and drama, with thick brushstrokes adding texture to the subject's clothing. The soft, cloudy sky and faint landscape in the background contribute to the overall subdued tone.

History & Provenance

The portrait is now held in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, exemplifying the Biedermeier style, a movement characterized by its focus on domestic and intimate scenes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Heinrich Füger

Artist

Heinrich Füger

Heinrich Friedrich Füger (8 December 1751 – 5 November 1818) was a German portrait and historical painter and one of the most important German representatives of classicism.