ALEXANDER ROSLIN (1718-1793)

Baron Leonard Klinckowström (1758)

Oil on canvas (90 x 70 cm)

Synebrichoff Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland

To enlarge the image, click on it and “Open in a new window”

Thure Leonard Klinckowström (1735 – 1821) was a Swedish baron, Chief Marshal and President of the Court of Wismar (named after the city of Wismar, this court or tribunal was the institution responsible for the administration of the Swedish possessions in Germany)

Thure Leonard Klinckowström was the son of Baron Thure Gustaf Klinckowström and his wife, Maria Charlotta von Borcken. He became chancellor and chamberlain in 1764. Then he worked primarily within the royal court, where, in 1782, he became court marshal to Queen Sofia Magdalena; the same year, he was also appointed President of the Wismar Tribunal. In 1797, he became Chief Marshal to the new Queen Fredrika. This was the highest honour in Sweden; the Chief Marshal was responsible for managing the royal household.

Klinckowström was 23 years old when Roslin painted his portrait; it was obviously done during a visit to Paris by the young nobleman. Roslin’s detailed description of his sitter’s dress and features was extremely accurate since he chose to record Klinckoström’s strabismus that affected his left eye. As it is clearly visible, we must assume that the young nobleman did not mind Roslin’s brutal honesty. I am sure van Dyck would not have been so implacable!

The portrait itself is fairly sober, as are the sitter’s garments; Klinckowström looks at us as if he has been interrupted while writing a letter, but his expression is placid and kind. The focal point of the painting is the splendid lace cuff on his right hand, which has been subtly illuminated by Roslin’s magic brush.   

Image courtesy of the Finnish National Gallery via Wikimedia.