Artwork

Kaiser Leopold II in Kleidung des Ritterordens vom Goldenen Vlies

Kaiser Leopold II in Kleidung des Ritterordens vom Goldenen Vlies is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Anton von Maron. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Anton von Maron's oil portrait, dated around 1750, presents Emperor Leopold II dressed in the ceremonial garb of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Executed in the mid‑eighteenth century, the work now belongs to the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Leopold II, appears in full regalia: a dark, richly embroidered robe over a vivid red shirt, his white hair framing a direct gaze toward the viewer. The inclusion of the Order's insignia underscores his status as a sovereign knight of the prestigious chivalric order.

Technique & Style

Rendered in oil on canvas, the portrait employs a careful modulation of light and shadow reminiscent of chiaroscuro, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the fabrics and the polished surfaces of the crown placed on the nearby table.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the painting entered the French royal collection and is presently housed at the Palace of Versailles. Its attribution to Anton von Maron, a noted portraitist of the period, has been consistently affirmed by museum records.