Count Axel von Fersen, in profile to the left, in blue coat with red facings, gold epaulette, black stock, powdered wig en queue, wearing the badge of the Royal Swedish Order of the Sword

The identity of the miniature is based on a contemporary inscription on the reverse RiksMarskalken Grefve Axel. v. Fersen i Paris 1780 [...] capit vid Roy Suede'. The present miniature must have been painted before Fersen's departure to America where he fought for the Independence under Rochambeau.
Fersen (1755-1810), who was legendary for his beauty, is said to have been Queen Marie-Antoinette's lover. He never recovered from the beheading of Marie-Antoinette and was himself murdered by a Stockholm mob on the false charge of having poisoned the crown prince. Contemporary portraits depicting Fersen are outstandingly rare and the excellent provenance of the present piece underlines its importance.