Ferdinand Jagemann stood in a close relationship to Grand Duke Carl August, for he was the brother of the duke’s mistress and was fostered by him early on. After his training in Vienna and stays in Paris and Rome Jagemann worked as a portraitist in Weimar. The half-length portrait is the artist’s own copy of a somewhat larger version. It shows the almost 60-yearold man with an imposing air and in military uniform with a wide sash and a medal on his lapel, his gaze fixed in the distance with a serious expression.