Nationalmuseum acquires iconic portrait of Axel von Fersen
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, November 5, 2024


Nationalmuseum acquires iconic portrait of Axel von Fersen
Unknown British artist, Portrait of Axel von Fersen, 1778. Photo: Stockholms Auktionsverk.



STOCKHOLM.- Nationalmuseum has acquired a portrait of Axel von Fersen at the age of 23, painted in London in the summer of 1778. The superb miniature by an unknown British artist depicts a self-assured young man, perhaps on account of his intended marriage to a rich heiress. It was unusual for British artists to paint portraits of Swedish subjects in the latter half of the 18th century.

Axel von Fersen (1755–1810) has become known around the world for his close relationship with Queen Marie-Antoinette. As the current exhibition at the Archives Nationales in Paris makes clear, his affections were reciprocated. They first met at a masked ball in January 1774. Some months later, Fersen travelled to London. Although he did not stay long, he learned some English, which was unusual for a Swede in the 18th century. Fersen returned to the British capital in April 1778 for a visit lasting four months, during which time he sat for an unidentified portrait painter. The graphic nature of the portrait, where the hair and face are made up of a combination of lines and dots in brown tones against a gridlike background, is typical of British miniature painting of the time. In contrast to this vibrant depiction, the subject’s grey coat appears somewhat muted, with a few shaded areas.

Why did the young Fersen commission this portrait of himself during his time in London? Did it have something to do with his intended marriage to Catharina, the daughter of Henrik Leijel (Henry Lyell), a wealthy Swedish-British merchant? Nothing came of this prospective marriage of convenience. Instead, Fersen returned to Paris and embarked on a military career. Two years later, he travelled to North America as aide-de-camp to the head of the French expeditionary force, General Count de Rochambeau. Fersen’s knowledge of English proved very useful in this role, since General George Washington did not speak French. For three years, Fersen acted as interpreter between the allies in their war against the British colonial power. On returning to Paris in the summer of 1783, he was appointed colonel of the Royal Suédois regiment, but soon after was ordered to accompany King Gustav III of Sweden on a year-long trip to Italy.

The rest of the story is well known: Fersen’s love affair with Marie-Antoinette, his repeated attempts to save her and other members of the royal family during the French Revolution, and his own tragic death at the hands of a mob on the streets of Stockholm. The portrait of the young Fersen eventually came into the possession of one of his siblings and remained in the family’s ownership for many years before its recent acquisition by Nationalmuseum.

Magnus Olausson, emeritus director of collections at Nationalmuseum, said:
“The portrait of the young Axel von Fersen represents a rare interlude in 18th-century Swedish-British relations. As far as we know, few Swedes were immortalised by British artists in those days.

This iconic portrait of Fersen is an unusually fine work by an unknown British miniaturist, in a style somewhat reminiscent of stipple engraving, which was the great innovation of the time.”

Nationalmuseum receives no state funds with which to acquire design, applied art and artwork; instead the collections are enriched through donations and gifts from private foundations and trusts. The Axel von Fersen portrait acquisition was generously funded by the Hjalmar and Anna Wicander Foundation.










Today's News

August 16, 2023

A museum of 'Electrifying Frankness' weighs dialing it down

Brice Marden: A legacy beyond the monochromes

This ancient whale may have been the heaviest animal ever

Lorenzo Quinn bronze to be offered at La Belle Epoque Auction

How old is that polar bear? The answer is in its blood.

An oil painting by Louis C. Tiffany and a French carved walnut vestment headline auction

British Library researcher throws new light on Elizabeth I

Nationalmuseum acquires iconic portrait of Axel von Fersen

'Where Land Meets Sea' the work of six South Korean contemporary artists feature of Stroll Garden exhibition in NY

Jack Shainman Gallery announces representation of the Estate of Emanoel Araújo

Kerstin Honeit, The Society of Affective Archives, and Rodolfo Andaur works featured at PHI Foundation

Rago and Toomey & Co. present historic auction 'Roycroft: Life in Abundance, The Collection of Richard Blacher'

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive presents new work by Kenneth Tam

Witness and chronicler of the world, works by photographer and poet Allen Ginsberg featured at Fahey/Klein Gallery

'On the Value of Time: New Presentation of the Collection of Contemporary Art' at Museum Ludwig

Thamesmead's talented youth shone at the annual, community-powered festival

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki publications and branding internationally honoured

Is Albarino the next great white wine? It depends.

Rare X-Men #1 comic book from 1963 up for auction in celebration of the 60th Anniversary

Museum for Art in Wood presents new exhibition 'Placing: The Windgate Arts Residency Program in Wood 2023'

Magoo, rapper and former Timbaland collaborator, dies at 50

Antique Gold Rush-era bottles, stock certificates, coins, tokens and postcards do well at auction

Strawser Auction Group announces major Majolica collection

At Time Spans Festival, New York shows off new music

Peppa Pig House Wallpaper: Adding Whimsy and Charm to Kids' Spaces

Unlock Business Growth With Effective Cleveland SEO Services

Why You Should Choose a Melcher Ramp Alternative




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful