Explore the Description of this artwork, Count István Széchenyi (Friedrich von Amerling).
The painting belongs to the type of monumental portraiture generally associated with royalty. At the time István Széchenyi was 45 years old and he reached the zenith of his career. He was a very wealthy landowner, a leading politician of the Habsburg monarchy, successful writer and reformer. Amerling placed him on the terrace of a fictional building with view to the landscape beyond. His feathered hat is on the balustrade, and he is seen holding one of his white gloves in his hand. He wears díszmagyar, the elaborate court dress of Hungarian aristocracy with a sword, medals on his chest and yellow boots.
Habsburg monarchy Hungarian