HEINRICH FRIEDRICH FÜGER (AUSTRO-GERMAN, 1751-1818)

The sitter was Prince Elector and Archbishop of Mainz from 1774 to 1802. He was a controversial figure, opposing the dynastical strategy of Emperor Joseph II and opposing the Emperor's scheme to exchange Bavaria for Belgium. He was Füger's most important client during his period in Mainz and he also painted a miniature of the sitter's niece, Countess Coudenhove, née Countess Hatzfeld (d. 1826), sold Christie's, London, 6 July 2005, lot 141.