Ludwik Leptowski, a painter active in the 19th century, although he was relatively rarely involved in oil painting, 'Portrait of Baron Metel Ožegović' is an example of his skill in portraiture, showing the figure in full majesty and official dignity.

"Portrait of Baron Metel Ožegović" is characterised by a balanced composition, with the baron's figure centrally placed against a background of neutral colour. The richly decorated dark uniform with its prominent medals and decorations is the focal point of the painting, and its detail and precision in capturing the fabrics and shine of the metals testify to Leptowski's skill as a portraitist. The light falling on the baron's face and uniform emphasises his figure, adding three-dimensionality and life to the portrait.

The baron is portrayed in semi-profile, a classic shot in portraits of this type, giving him dignity and refinement. His posture, upright and resolute, and his calm facial expression with a slight smile, are signs of pride and confidence, which is in keeping with the convention of portraying people of high status. The portrait depicts Baron Ožegović as an authoritative figure, and his position and facial expression suggest confidence and dignity.

The rich detail of the uniform can be interpreted as an expression of national and personal pride and serve as a symbol of the baron's social status. The painting thus becomes not only an individual image, but also a tool for social communication. The light in the portrait directs attention to the face and the decorations of the uniform, while modelling the baron's face to bring out his calm and composure. At the same time, it adds depth and enhances the impression of three-dimensionality.

Leptowski not only skilfully reproduces the physical features of his model, but also conveys his social significance. Portraying such a richly decorated uniform indicates a visual strategy to emphasise the status and prestige of the baron, while honouring the traditions and aesthetics of his era.

Baron Metel Ožegović was a prominent Croatian Renaissance politician and activist who was born in Zagreb on 4 May 1814 and died in Vienna on 9 February 1890. He came from the noble Ožegović Barlabaševački family. He completed his education at the Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb in 1827, and then studied law in Pest under the tutelage of his father, Stjepan, a prominent politician, and his uncle Mirk, a bishop.

He began his career in Varaždin, where Count Đuro Erdödy appointed him honorary scribe in 1831, and in 1836 he became chief scribe of the Varaždin Zupania, holding this position until 1845. As a staunch defender of the Croatian language, he founded a national reading room in Varaždin in 1838.

His political activity was marked by a term as a deputy in the Croatian Parliament during the sessions of 1843-1844 and 1847-1848, where he worked to defend Croatian political independence. In 1845 he was appointed secretary to the Hungarian Royal Chancellery and two years later advisor to the Hungarian Governor's Council.

During the Revolution of 1848, Ožegović was part of a delegation that unsuccessfully negotiated with representatives of the Hungarian government. Together with Ban Jelačić, he advocated the annexation of the Croatian Military Border to the Kingdom of Croatia. He then served as an advisor to the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna.

In 1851, Ožegović became a councillor of the Supreme Court of Cassation, a member of the Council of State and a secret councillor. In 1858 he was elevated to the dignity of baron and acquired the Bela estate with two manors and a forest.

After the restoration of the constitution in 1860, he campaigned for the unification of Dalmatia with Croatia and the formation of an alliance of Slavs and Hungarians against German domination, seeking to restructure Austria into a federation of historic provinces.

He strongly opposed the Croatian-Hungarian settlement of 1868 and withdrew from public life after its ratification. In his private life he was married to Countess Ivana Sermage, with whom he had a son, Ljudevit, who married Countess Olga Erdödy, and a daughter, Ida, who married a Styrian nobleman, Baron Alfred Moscon.

Oil, canvas, 66.7 x 55 cm, inv. no. MG-12, Nacionalni muzej moderne umjetnosti, Zagreb