Who painted Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713)?

Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713) was painted by Samuel Blesendorf in 1696.

Where can I see Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713)?

Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713) is held by Rijksmuseum.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713)

Samuel Blesendorf , 1696

Portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen (1657-1713) is a copper painting by Samuel Blesendorf. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The combination of casein binder and copper panel defines the material composition of this specific holding within the Rijksmuseum collection.

Executed in 1691 by Samuel Blesendorf, this portrait of Frederick I of Prussia is a painting created on a copper support. The artist employed casein paint as the primary medium for the image. The work is relatively small in scale, measuring 2.6 cm in height and 2.3 cm in width.

Classified as a portrait, the piece focuses on the depiction of the Prussian monarch. The combination of casein binder and copper panel defines the material composition of this specific holding within the Rijksmuseum collection.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Friedrich I van Pruisen was painted by Samuel Blesendorf in 1691, as indicated by the artist’s date and the work’s inclusion in the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

The painting was executed on copper using casein paint, a technique suited to the durable support. It depicts Friedrich I of Prussia, who reigned from 1657 to 1713, aligning the work with his early reign. The canvas size of 2.6 cm × 2.3 cm suggests it was intended as a small-format portrait, likely for private or dynastic display rather than public presentation.

Context

The portrait of Frederick I of Prussia by Samuel Blesendorf was created in 1691 on copper and later entered the Rijksmuseum collection, where it remains on display. Contemporary scholarship identifies it as a significant example of Dutch portraiture from the late 17th century, reflecting both the sitter’s prominence in Brandenburg-Prussian history and the stylistic conventions of courtly representation in Northern Europe. Its inclusion in major European art surveys underscores its role in tracing the development of royal iconography in early modern Germany.

Overview

This circular portrait on copper, created in 1696 by Samuel Blesendorf, captures the likeness of Friedrich I of Prussia (1657-1713). Now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, the work focuses attention on the subject's face and upper body against a plain background.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Friedrich I, the first King of Prussia, dressed in attire reflective of his status: a white lace collar and a dark, intricately accented coat with red and blue highlights. His direct gaze and formal attire convey regal presence.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic legacies of this portrait are not highlighted, it remains an important example of Samuel Blesendorf's oeuvre and a historical document of Friedrich I's reign.