Who painted Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia?

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia was painted by Antoine Pesne in 1770-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia?

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia?

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia

Antoine Pesne

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Antoine Pesne. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1770, this oil portrait presents Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia in full military regalia.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1770 within the Rococo movement, the painting presents the subject in a manner typical of aristocratic portraiture from that era.

The work depicts Prince Augustus William of Prussia, serving as a formal portrait of the royal figure. Created in 1770 within the Rococo movement, the painting presents the subject in a manner typical of aristocratic portraiture from that era. As a commissioned likeness, the primary meaning of the piece is to document and honor the identity and status of Prince Augustus William.

The composition focuses entirely on the individual, establishing his presence as the central and sole main subject of the artwork.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas, created in 1770 using oil paint. It portrays Prince Augustus William of Prussia in a Rococo style, rendered with the fluid brushwork and subtle tonal modeling characteristic of Antoine Pesne. The canvas support is typical of 18th‑century portraiture, and the composition emphasizes a dignified pose and delicate rendering of fabric, reflecting the formal conventions of aristocratic portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

Portrait of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia, rendered in oil paint by Antoine Pesne in 1770, measures 82 cm by 66.5 cm and depicts the Prussian prince. The work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its creation history is tied to the Rococo period, reflecting the courtly portraiture of mid‑18th‑century Europe.

Overview

Created in 1770, this oil portrait presents Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia in full military regalia. The work is attributed to Antoine Pesne, a French‑born artist who served as a court painter in Prussia. It is presently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is displayed among other 18th‑century European paintings.