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German School, 18th century

Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Queen Consort of Frederick II of Prussia (1715-1797) c.1775

Oil on canvas | 30.0 x 24.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 406417

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  • Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern married the future Frederick the Great in 1733 and became Queen of Prussia in 1740. Unfortunately for Elisabeth Christine, who is said to have loved her husband, Frederick was disinterested in his wife and they lived a largely separate life; he was involved with military matters, whilst the Queen led an influential court in Berlin. She was interested in literature and wrote books on religion, she is recorded as having said of herself "God has graciously kept me, so that I need not reproach myself for any action by which any person has with my knowledge been hurt".

    She is depicted wearing a pink dress with a large bow at the breast over which is a black lace shawl and a headdress of pink ribbon and lace over her powdered hair. A pastel portrait of the sitter, dated 1784, possibly derived from Schröder, is in the Royal Collection (RCIN 452507). For a portrait of the sitter in later life see RCIN 402779.

    According to a torn label on the reverse, the carved Carlo Maratta frame appears to be by Sefferin Nelson; the address given is Marshall Street, Golden Square. The frame maker traded at this address from 1777-83 and later worked for George IV, when Prince of Wales.
    Provenance

    First recorded at Buckingham Palace in c. 1875 (no 732)

  • Medium and techniques

    Oil on canvas

    Measurements

    30.0 x 24.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)

    46.8 x 40.5 x 5.0 cm (frame, external)

  • Category
    Object type(s)
  • Alternative title(s)

    Elisabeth Christine, Queen of Prussia (1715-1797)


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