German School, 18th century
Prince August Wilhelm (1722-1758) and Princess Louisa Amalia (1722-1780) of Prussia c. 1750
Watercolour on ivory | 5.2 x 7.0 cm (sight) (sight) | RCIN 420507
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Prince Augustus William is wearing the uniform of the 18th Prussian Regiment (the Prince of Prussia's Regiment) and the orange ribbon of the Order of the Black Eagle. The crown of Prussia can be seen on the right. The Prince was the brother and heir to Frederick the Great, but died before him. In 1742, he married Louisa Amalia of Brunswick-Bayern. Princess Louisa was the daughter of Ferdinand Albert, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Their son became Frederick William II, King of Prussia.
The group is based on two portraits by Antoine Pesne, both at Gripsholm Castle, Sweden. The miniature was probably made for George III in 1767, when a note in the Privy Purse accounts includes 'disbursements for twenty or more Miniature or colour'd drawings copied from the German of the House of Brunswick – at £11.11.6 each - £31.10.00.'Provenance
First formally recorded in the Royal Collection in 1870
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Watercolour on ivory
Measurements
5.2 x 7.0 cm (sight) (sight)
6.6 x 8.5 cm (frame, external)
Other number(s)
Cust 1910 : Cust, L., 1910. Windsor Castle: Portrait Miniatures, London – Cust 1910 40/14RL 1870 17.C.4