John Adolphus II, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels (1685-1746) c.1740-6
Oil on canvas | 143.8 x 113.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405656
Antoine Pesne (1683-1757)
John Adolphus II, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels (1685-1746) c.1740-6
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Antoine Pesne was a French-born Rococo painter of historical subjects and portraits. His finest works exhibit masterly brushwork and brilliant colouring, accompanied by a perceptive characterization of his sitters. From the 1740s onwards Pesne was in the service of Frederick II of Prussia (‘the Great’) a renowned patron of the arts, producing decorative schemes for Schloss Charlottenborg and Sansouci. In 1748 Frederick sent a portrait of himself by Pesne to his first cousin, Frederick. Prince of Wales (RCIN 406797).
John Adolphus II was the last duke of Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt, a member of the House of Wettin and a Commander in the Saxon Army. In 1734 he married Fredericka of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (1715-1775), the older sister of Augusta, Princess of Wales; two years later he inherited lands on the death of his older brother. A pendant portrait of Fredericka is in the Royal Collection (RCIN 405657).
Depicted as a military man, he is wearing a breastplate over a red military jacket, a sash with the Order of the White Eagle of Poland, his left hand pointing to a distant battle.
Provenance
Acquired by George IV, when Prince of Wales; recorded at Carlton House, together with pendant portrait (RCIN 405657), in 1816 (nos 307-8) and 1819 (nos 383-4)
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Creator(s)
(nationality) -
Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
143.8 x 113.2 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
164.5 x 133.0 x 7.8 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Alternative title(s)
Johann Adolph II, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels (1685-1746)