Artwork
Portrait of Marie Karolina Anna, Countess Thun
Portrait of Marie Karolina Anna, Countess Thun is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Rococo painting artist Heinrich Füger. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Heinrich Friedrich Füger executed this miniature portrait around 1790, depicting Marie Karolina Anna, Countess Thun.
About this work
Overview
Heinrich Friedrich Füger executed this miniature portrait around 1790, depicting Marie Karolina Anna, Countess Thun. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of late‑18th‑century portraiture in a compact format.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a noblewoman of the Thun family, is presented seated in a chair, her attire rendered in delicate pastel tones. A draped shawl covers one arm, while a handheld fan suggests both refinement and the conventions of feminine elegance of the period.
Technique & Style
Füger employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing a soft illumination to accentuate the countess’s face and hands against a darker, indistinct outdoor backdrop that hints at a building and trees. The miniature’s fine brushwork captures the texture of fabric and the sheen of the fan with meticulous detail.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1790, the portrait entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century. Its provenance traces back to the Thun family, reflecting the practice of commissioning intimate portraits to commemorate status and lineage among European aristocracy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Friedrich Füger (8 December 1751 – 5 November 1818) was a German portrait and historical painter and one of the most important German representatives of classicism.
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