(Lichtental 1790 - 1849 Vienna) - Archduke Francis Joseph, portrait of the young Archduke as Colonel of the Dragoon Regiment No. 3, decorated with the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Breast Star of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, watercolour on board, signed: "Daffinger", and with original signature: "Eh. Francis", 17 x 12 cm, mounted, framed, glazed, verso imperial red lacquer seal, (Lu)

A superb portrait of the young archduke at the age of 15/16. Archduke Francis Joseph held the position of Commander in Chief of the Dragoon Regiment No. 3 (as of 1867 No. 11) from 1843 onwards. A comparable portrait of the young archduke by Moritz Daffinger was given to Princess Melanie Metternich by Archduchess Sophie in March 1846. The present masterpiece by Daffinger was probably also given as a gift within the imperial family. This is indicated by the archduke’s original signature and the imperial seal on the reverse. Lit.: Georg Kugler, Staatskanzler Metternich und seine Gäste, die wiedergefundenen Miniaturen von Moritz Michael Daffinger, Josef Kriehuber und anderen Meister aus dem Gästealbum der Fürstin Melanie Metternich, Graz/Vienna/Cologne, no date, plate 134, p. 376.