The artwork, titled “Richard Graf Bienerth-Schmerling,” is an oil painting on canvas created by artist John Quincy Adams in 1907. This portrait, which belongs to the Realism art movement, measures 130 x 111 cm and is housed in the Belvedere museum in Vienna, Austria.
In this dignified portrait, the subject, Richard Graf Bienerth-Schmerling, is depicted seated against a detailed and muted background. His posture is formal, with one hand resting on the arm of a chair and the other on his knee, exuding a sense of authority and calm. Dressed in a dark suit that enhances the somber yet elegant atmosphere of the painting, he wears an ornately patterned sash that showcases his high rank and distinction. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the lifelike rendering of the textures and fabrics, contributing to the realism for which the painting is celebrated. The lighting is subtle, adding depth and highlighting the subject’s facial features and expressions, invoking a commanding presence that captivates the viewer.