Portrait of Carl Gustav Tessin, Swedish Politician

Carl Gustaf Tessin (1695-1770) was a Swedish Count and politician and son of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. He was one of the most brilliant personages of his day, and the most prominent representative of French culture in Sweden. He was also a fine orator.

The Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin sits in his library in a dressing gown, surrounded by his collections. In his hands, he holds an engraving by Marc-Antonio Raimondi of Raphael’s fresco The Triumph of Galatea. The arrows fired by the cupids in the engraving seem to be aimed at Tessin’s heart – perhaps an expression of his love for the great master of art. The portrait was intended as a gift to his friend, the architect Carl Harleman.