German Painter, Circle Of Tischbein, Circa 1752–1755 — Portrait Of Wilhelmina Of Hesse-kassel

GERMAN PAINTER, circle of Johann Heinrich Tischbein, circa 1752–1755
PORTRAIT OF WILHELMINE OF HESSE-CASSEL, PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA, AS DIANA

Oil on canvas, signed "W." on the dog's collar
39 × 46 cm / 15.4 × 18.1 in, with frame 54 × 61 cm / 21.3 × 24 in

PROVENANCE
France, private collection

An elegant portrait depicting Wilhelmine of Hesse-Cassel (1726–1808), Princess of Prussia through her marriage to Prince Henry, brother of Frederick the Great. Painted shortly after their union in 1752, between 1752 and 1755, this work reflects the refined aesthetic of German court portraiture in the mid-18th century and falls within the artistic orbit of Johann Heinrich Tischbein.

Wilhelmine is shown as Diana, symbol of strength, purity, and independence, adorned in a sumptuous hunting costume. At her side, two elegant greyhounds and a young Black page in livery emphasize the splendour and cosmopolitan nature of the Prussian court.

The delicate rendering of skin tones, the attention to luxurious materials, and the harmony of the composition evoke the finest works from Tischbein’s circle. The painting captivates through its excellent state of preservation and the subtle quality of its execution.

A rare testament to the aristocratic iconography of the Enlightenment era, this work elegantly combines mythological imagery with the grandeur of ceremonial portraiture.