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The painter represented Count Ferenc Károlyi in the customary pose of a military leader, one hand on his hip, other grasping a sword. However, the rigidity often seen in this conventional type of portrait is dissolved here by the lively, somewhat defiant glance, jaunty carriage and strength of character of the corpulent, middle aged man represented. Using a wide range of artistic devices, the painter has endeavoured to impose on this ruddy, round-faced Hungarian aristocrat with waxed moustache and thick eyebrows an appearance befitting his rank. This finds expression in the lavishly decorated clothing the delicate realistic details enriching the closely knit composition, particularly the texture of the fur trimming, and the fine feathers and goldsmith's work of the aigrette. The unfaltering, steady modelling, sweeping brushwork and high degree of technical skill are indications of the painter's considerable talent. These qualities are further enhanced by the effective presentation of the model's individual character.
Ferenc Károlyi - depicted in the uniform of a cavalry general - gave his name to a cavalry regiment but it was not only for this that he became widely known. The activities of this aristocrat who showed himself responsive to French learning and the French spirit while still a young man, prove that the ideals of French enlightenment reached Hungary with little delay. Ferenc Károlyi established a printing shop in Nagykároly, the centre of his estates, his chief aim being to issue textbooks and geographic works. Perhaps it was not only the close proximity of Calvinist Debrecen, but also the ideal of religious tolerance that caused him, although a Catholic, to maintain a lively intellectual relationship with theologians of the Calvinist Church.
In this portrait the Count's features and figures are immortalized by a painter active in Vienna or Pozsony some time between 1748-1750.
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