Portrait of Frederick II of Prussia

The Portrait of Frederick II of Prussia is a portrait of Frederick II of Prussia by the German-Danish painter Johann Georg Ziesenis. In 1913 the painter Jean Lulvès claimed it was the only painting for which Frederick sat during his lifetime[1] - however, this is now doubted.[2]

It was commissioned by Frederick's sister Duchess Philippine Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He sat for it from 17 to 20 June 1763 at Castle Salzdahlum, though like other portraitists Ziesnis also continued working on it after the sitting using sketches.[3] On 10 October 2009 the painting, last put on public display in 1937 at the Lower Saxony State Museum, was offered by the Bremer auction house Bolland & Marotz and sold at a price of 670,000 euros. Due to the historical significance of the painting it was registered in the directory of German cultural heritage.[4]

Copies

It is believed that there are two copies which were given to the Duchess (now in the Heidelberg Palatinate Museum) and to George III of the United Kingdom (now in the Royal Collection).[5]

References
  1. (in German) Jean Lulvès: Das einzige glaubwürdige Bildnis Friedrichs des Großen als König. Hahnsche Buchhandlung, Hannover 1913.
  2. (in German) Karin Schrader: Der Bildnismaler Johann Georg Ziesenis (1717–1776). Leben und Werk mit kritischem Oeuvrekatalog. Lit-Verlag, Münster 1995, S. 110.
  3. (in German) Frauke Mankartz: Die Marke Friedrich: Der preußische König im zeitgenössischen Bild. In: Generaldirektion der Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg (ed.): Friederisiko. Friedrich der Große. Die Ausstellung. Hirmer, München 2012, S. 206.
  4. http://www.thelocal.de/20091011/22493
  5. https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/search#/1/collection/404697/frederick-ii-king-of-prussia-1712-1786


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