In 1761 Carl Gustaf Tessin faced the threat of dismissal from his role as councillor of the realm and chancellor of Åbo University. He anticipated this by tendering his resignation. Tessin wanted to leave with dignity and he therefore commissioned this official portrait by Gustaf Lundberg in which he is wearing the gown of a councillor of the realm and the chains of all his orders. He himself was aware of how fragile pastels can be: “Woe and eternal misfortune, these portraits are in pastels.” Today the pillar in the background is hardly visible.