Georg Philipp I Rugendas (1666-1742) - Frederick I Of Prussia

Georg Philipp I RUGENDAS (1666-1742)
Frederick I of Prussia

Red chalk, ink and brown wash on paper

45x42 cm

This drawing has been long considered representative of Charles VI. In reality our drawing represents Frederick 1st of Prussia. Indeed, the cover of the saddle bears a monogram with FR (for "Friedericus Rex"). In addition, Friedrich wears this mustache quite specific. The current portrait may be dated after 1706, when all over Europe the images of the new king were scattered. According to Dr Telesko - whom we warmly thanks for current expertise - this drawing could have been made for a poster bearing the effigy of the new king.

Provenance
Private collection Switzerland
Christie's New York Lot # 276 on the 10/01/1996 (reproduced page 265)

Note
Frederick I (German: Friedrich I.; 11 July 1657 – 25 February 1713), of the Hohenzollern dynasty, was (as Frederick III) Elector of Brandenburg (1688–1713) and Duke of Prussia in personal union (Brandenburg-Prussia). The latter function he upgraded to royalty, becoming the first King in Prussia (1701–1713). From 1707 he was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel (German: Fürstentum Neuenburg). He was also the paternal grandfather of Frederick the Great.