(Augsburg 1701–1774)
Portrait of Friedrich I. of Hohenzollern on horse, brush, grey and black ink, over red chalk, grey wash, on laid paper, 45,2 x 42,5 cm, fixed to old support, browned, somewhat stained, repaired tears and losses, mounted, unframed, (Sch)

The present drawing of a horseman is a portrait of Frederick I. of Hohenzollern, who was appointed Margrave Frederick III of Brandenburg and prince elector in 1668, and crowned as first Prussian king in 1701. The saddle cloth shows the one-headed Prussion eagle with the ligated FR (for Friedericus Rex) twice. In addition, Frederick is wearing his characteristic moustache. The depiction was apparently executed briefly after his coronation in 1701 when numerous portraits of the king circulated in Europe. They should confirm the promotion to his newly gained position which he wanted to exploit for his political ambitions. The present drawing may have been executed in preparation of a mezzotint. The black servant carrying the armour on the drawing’s right side is a standardised element, which can frequently be observed in portraits of rulers of the time.

We are grateful to Dr. Werner Telesko for the scientific support in cataloging the present drawing.