(Berlin 1717–1797 Neustrelitz)
Portrait of Duchess Christiana of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1735–1794) playing the harp,
oil on canvas, 156 x 110.5 cm, framed

This rediscovered portrait of Duchess Christiana will be published and illustrated in the forthcoming publication: T. Foelsch, Ein verschwundenes Schloss in Mecklenburg: Das Residenzschloss zu Neustrelitz und seine Geschichte, Groß Gottschow 2014.
This painting comes with a certificate by Helmut Börsch-Supan.

Duchess Christiana, widely known as ‘Princess Christel’, was one of the daughters of Duke Carl and Princess Elizabeth Albertina of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Her father was the recipient of an apanage in Mirow, where she and her siblings received a comprehensive education. They knew Latin, Greek, and French and read books by classical authors in their original language. Christiana lived in Neustrelitz with her unmarried brother, Duke Adolf Frederick IV, where she performed official duties. In 1761, John Ker, the 3rd Duke of Roxburghe, asked for her hand in marriage, but was rejected because he did not belong to a ruling dynasty, while Charlotte, her younger sister, was married to King George III of England. Börsch-Supan writes: ‘There can be no doubt about the sitter’s identity, which is proven by a group portrait of Duke Adolf Frederick IV, his sister Christiana, and his brother Ernst that is dated to around 1760’ (see fig.). And about the artist he points out: ‘Daniel Woge was a little known artist who appears to have not been extremely productive. Between 1752 and 1797, he worked in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which had gained independence in 1701. He was a pupil of Antoine Pesne in Berlin. Little is known about Woge’s early period and subsequent training. But it can be assumed that, apart from Pesne, he was also influenced by other French artists.’

Additional pictures
Daniel Woge, Portrait of Duke Adolphus Frederick IV and his siblings: Adolphus Frederick IV of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (right), Christiane (centre) and Prince Ernest, (left), Neustrelitz c. 1760,  Staatliches Museum Schwerin, inv. no. G 2243