Baron Hans Henrik von Essen (1755-1824), facing right in brown coat, striped white waistcoat, open frilled white shirt, powdered hair en queue; and an officer, facing right in blue coat with gold-bordered red collar, lace cravat, wearing a red-bordered pale blue moiré sash and a breast-star, powdered wig en queue (Continental School, circa 1780)

Details

ANTON ULRIK BERNDES (1757-1844)
Baron Hans Henrik von Essen (1755-1824), facing right in brown coat, striped white waistcoat, open frilled white shirt, powdered hair en queue; and an officer, facing right in blue coat with gold-bordered red collar, lace cravat, wearing a red-bordered pale blue moiré sash and a breast-star, powdered wig en queue (Continental School, circa 1780)
oval, 1 5/16 in. (34 mm.) high, Swedish gold brooch frame with goldsmith's mark 'K&M', Stockholm 1897, the reverse engraved with the sitter's name and dates; and oval, 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.) high (2)

Provenance

The miniature by Berndes:
Collection of General Consul Jean Jahnsson; Svensk-Franska Konstgalleriet, Stockholm, 14-16 March 1934, lot 812 (erroneously as by Hall).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Hans Henrik von Essen was a favourite of King Gustavus III of Sweden and present at his murder at the doomed masquerade ball in 1792. In 1800, von Essen was made Governor of Pomerania but was discharged by King Gustavus IV after he had to accept a truce during the war against France in 1807. Nevertheless, he was made a Count in 1809 and embarked upon a diplomatic career. He was made a field marshal in 1811, Royal Governor of Norway 1814-1816 and Lord High Steward in 1816.
We are indebted to Ms Emilia Ström, Swedish Portrait Archives, Stockholm, for her help in the research of von Essen's miniature.

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