Older Gentleman in a Blue Coat

The white-haired man in this portrait by Adalbert Suchy adopted a dignified and upright pose in front of the painter. He was painted from a slightly lower angle, which gives the impression that he is looking down on the observer. The strict, searching face emphasises the distanced effect of the portrait.

Adalbert Suchy enjoyed a good reputation among the Viennese aristocracy. His works are painted with technical perfection, but the models often appear somewhat doll-like. This likeness of an older man is one of his especially successful creations, showing the sitter with individual and expressive features.

The paper on the reverse identifies the gentleman as Count Anton Friedrich Mittrowsky (1770-1842), an important state official under Emperor Francis I, but in actual fact, this portrait exhibits little similarity with him.

B. P.