Frederick I Of Prussia, Georg Philip I Rugendas (1666-1742)

Georg Philip I Rugendas (1666-1742)
Frederick I of Prussia

Sanguine, quill, black ink and gray wash on paper
45x42 cm

This drawing was long considered to represent Charles VI. In reality, our drawing represents Frederick I of Prussia. Indeed, the saddle cloth displays the single-headed eagle with the FR monogram (for “Friedericus Rex”). Moreover, Friedrich is characterized by his very distinctive mustache. The current portrait can most likely be dated after his coronation in 1701, the year when images of the new king were disseminated throughout Europe.

According to Mr. Telesko - whom we warmly thank - this drawing could have been made for a poster featuring the new king.

Provenance
Private Swiss collection
Christie's New York lot no. 276 from the sale of 01/10/1996 (reproduced on page 265)

Note
Frederick I of Prussia (born July 11, 1657, in Königsberg – died February 25, 1713, in Berlin), was the Prince-Elector (Kurfürst) of Brandenburg (as Frederick III of Brandenburg) and then the first King in Prussia from January 18, 1701, in exchange for his support to Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire in the War of the Spanish Succession against France. He was the Elector of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia from 1688 to 1701, and then King in Prussia from 1701 to 1713.