Baron Ernst Gideon von Laudon was an Austrian Field Marshal and one of the most successful opponents of the Prussian King Frederick the Great. As a young man he joined the Imperial Russian Army as cadet and fought against the French. In 1739 he went to the Russian court at St Petersburg where he remained for two years. He then joined the Austrian army and successfully fought against the troops of Frederick the Great during the Seven Years' War. After the war his services were in great demand and he was even approached by Frederick the Great to join his army. Laudon remained loyal to Austria and continued his military career in the army of Empress Maria Theresa. He was promoted to Field Marshal in 1776 in recognition of his services.
Füger painted Laudon several times (see R. Keil, op. cit., pp. 249-250, nos. 165-168 and p. 262, no. 203).