Miniature: Francis 1st Of Austria

Oval-shaped miniature painted in gouache circa 1815-20, depicting Francis I of Austria (1768-1835) in three-quarter bust and uniform.
He is wearing the Golden Fleece, the Order of Leopold and the Order of the Iron Crown.
Great quality in the realization of this portrait as well in the fineness of the features, the harmony and the nuances of the colors as in the serious and dignified expression of the Emperor.
H: 5cm
L: 4,2cm
Signed on the right side : L. Beniezsky,
Hungarian painter atif from 1800.
Very good condition of the miniature;
Gilt brass frame and purple velvet surround a little faded.

Provenance:
- Collection of King Umberto of Italy ( 1904-1983)
- Bequeathed by the sovereign to a member of his family.

The National Museum in Stockolm holds an identical miniature signed by the same artist.

Francis I of Austria (1768- 1835),
Archduke of Austria( 1792-1804) then
Emperor of Austria ( 1804-1835),
King of Hungary ( 1792-1835), King of Bohemia ( 1792-1835) and King of Lombardy-Venetia ( 1815-1835)
was also the last sovereign of the Holy German Empire ( 1792-1806) under the name of Francis ll.
Nephew of Queen Marie-Antoinette, he was the son of Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and Marie-Louise de Bourbon (1745-1792), Infanta of Spain and daughter of King Charles lll.
Francis married four times and had 13 children.