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Frederick William III, King of Prussia (1770-1840)
Thomas Lawrence·1814
Historical Context
Lawrence painted Frederick William III of Prussia around 1814 as part of the Waterloo Chamber series. The Prussian king had witnessed his kingdom's catastrophic defeat by Napoleon at Jena in 1806 and the subsequent occupation, humiliation, and territorial dismemberment of Prussia. His determined support for the wars of liberation in 1813-14 helped restore Prussian power. Lawrence's portrait captures the reserved dignity of a monarch who had endured national catastrophe and lived to see restoration. Now in the Royal Collection at Windsor, the portrait forms part of the Allied leadership gallery that Lawrence assembled during his European diplomatic tour.
Technical Analysis
Lawrence presents the Prussian monarch with dignified restraint appropriate to his reserved, earnest personality. The careful rendering of the Prussian military decorations and the muted palette differ from Lawrence's more flamboyant portraits.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the Prussian military decorations rendered with Lawrence's customary precision: the Iron Cross and other honors document Frederick William's campaigns.
- ◆Look at the muted palette and dignified restraint: Lawrence gives the reserved, earnest Prussian king a quieter treatment than his more flamboyant Allied commanders.
- ◆Observe the careful rendering appropriate to a monarch who endured national catastrophe before achieving restoration.
- ◆Find the Royal Collection Windsor setting: Frederick William III's portrait at Windsor places the restored Prussian monarchy among the Waterloo Chamber's victors.
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