Artwork
Portrait of Baron Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon

Portrait of Baron Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a portrait miniature depicting Baron Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait miniature depicting Baron Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon. Executed on a small scale, the image presents the baron in a formal pose, rendered with fine detail characteristic of miniature painting. The piece is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed in a decorative frame equipped with a top handle.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as the Austrian field marshal Ernst Gideon von Laudon, is shown with white hair and a sideways glance, suggesting a contemplative or authoritative presence. His attire—a metallic jacket, large collar, and red cape—signals his high rank and the martial prestige associated with his career.
Technique & Style
Rendered in miniature format, the portrait employs delicate brushwork to capture the sheen of the metal jacket and the texture of the red cape. The dark, indistinct background, possibly suggesting a tent or interior setting, provides contrast that emphasizes the figure’s illuminated costume and the slender staff he holds.
History & Provenance
The miniature is documented as part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings. While specific acquisition details are not provided, its presence in the museum indicates it entered the collection through donation or purchase, typical of the institution’s efforts to preserve European portrait miniatures.
Artist & collection



















