Portrait of Maurice Saski

The portrait depicts Maurice Saski as a mature man. The portrait shows a figure down to the waist, with the torso turned ¾ to the right and the head pointing to the left. On the head, he has an “like a lion” wig which was popular with French fashion representatives in 17th century, with the name referring to the lion mane. He has a narrow face with conspicuous eyebrows, prominent nose and no facial hair. The portrayed man is wearing an armour and a red cloak, slung over his right shoulder. He has a lace jabot under his neck. The Order of the Golden Fleece was suspended on a chain from the fraise. The position of the portrayed person, the elements of his outfit, the type of wig and the ceremonial chain of the order make the portrait representative.

On the back of the painting (on canvas), there is an inscription in black paint: "Le Marchal de Saxe".

Maurycy Saski (born 1696, died 1751) – a Saxon count, military strategist, Marshal of France, Duke of Courland and Semigallia from 1726 to 1729. He was an illegitimate son of the Polish King Augustus II the Strong. In 1711, his father recognised him as his child and ennobled him by granting him the title of count at the same time.

In 1719, he was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, the oldest and highest state decoration of the Republic of Poland, conferred for distinguished civil and military services to the benefit of the Republic of Poland. It was awarded in both peacetime and wartime. The order does not have classes. It is awarded to the most outstanding Poles and to the top-rank representatives of other countries.

Yulia Dushka