Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller - circle (1793-1865)

ANNA MARIA FREIIN VON ZACH 1759 - 1832

1st third of the 19th century
Oil on canvas 68,5x55,5 cm (86x72,5 cm), decorative gilt frame. A handwritten label identifying the sitter is affixed to the reverse of the stretcher. This high-quality portrait of Baroness von Zach, dating approximately to the 1820s, reflects the influence of Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, a prominent portraitist of the Austrian nobility. The soft lighting and meticulous rendering of fine facial wrinkles are characteristic of Waldmüller’s style. Similarities are also seen in the landscape background behind the sitter, although this area has unfortunately been affected by later retouching.It remains uncertain whether the painting originally lacked a signature or if it was obscured by improper restoration; no signature is visible in its current state. Anna Maria Freiin von Zach (1759–1832), née Baroness von Moltke, was the wife of Anton Freiherr von Zach (1747–1826), a distinguished Austrian general. A notable opponent of Napoleon and highly regarded by Suvorov, Zach was elevated to the nobility by Empress Maria Theresa. On June 9, 1799, he was promoted to major general, and on October 13, 1799, Emperor Francis II awarded him the Knight`s Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa in recognition of his achievements. In 1809, he received the Order of Leopold. After this date, he no longer served in the field. From 1810 to 1812, he was deputy commander of the fortress in Olomouc, becoming its commander in November 1812, and Olomouc’s district governor in 1815. He officially retired from military service in early 1825, by which time he held the rank of Feldzeugmeister. The portrait described here most likely originates from this Olomouc period of his life. Condition B. The painting has been professionally relined in its time, the surface shows several amateur retouchings of superficial scratches. Otherwise, it is in good condition.