Count Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt in Florence

This is a portrait of Armfelt as Swedish Minister to Florence. It was painted in 1793 – the year after King Gustav III was assassinated. Armfelt had been one of the king’s confidants. The portrait shows him seated in contemplation before busts of Gustav III and Julius Caesar – both victims of murderous plots. By alluding to the Roman period, the portrait takes on a deeper meaning and a kinship wit…