Where can I see Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751)?

Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751)?

Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751)

Portrait of Frederick Lewis van Hannover (1707-1751) is a copper painting. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is an oval portrait executed on copper, depicting a gentleman in profile.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in vitreous enamel on a copper support, the work functions as a formal representation of the British heir apparent during the mid-18th century.

This 1750 portrait depicts Frederick, Prince of Wales (born Frederick Lewis of Hanover), who lived from 1707 to 1751. Executed in vitreous enamel on a copper support, the work functions as a formal representation of the British heir apparent during the mid-18th century. The piece serves primarily as a dynastic record, capturing the likeness of the son of King George II within the genre of royal portraiture.

As an anonymous creation now held by the Rijksmuseum, the painting emphasizes the subject's status through its medium and classification rather than through complex allegorical symbolism or additional iconographic attributes described in available records.

Technique & Style

The portrait was executed on a copper support using vitreous enamel as the primary medium, a technique typical of mid-18th-century enamel painting. Its dimensions measure 8.9 cm in height by 7.2 cm in width, reflecting a small-scale format suited for intimate portraiture. The surface demonstrates careful handling evident in the smooth enamel application and refined modeling of facial features, aligning with the formal stylistic conventions of aristocratic portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

The portrait was created in 1750 on a copper support, classified as a painting and portrait genre. It depicts Frederick, Prince of Wales, and was produced as an anonymous work within the Rijksmuseum collection. The artwork entered the museum's holdings as part of their collection, establishing its provenance through institutional acquisition.

The creation history is tied to the year 1750, with the medium specified as copper and dimensions recorded at 8.9 cm in height and 7.2 cm in width.

The work is held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Its inventory identifier is not specified in the sources. The painting was exhibited in the 2019 exhibition "Dutch and Flemish Masters from the Rijksmuseum" at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Overview

The work is an oval portrait executed on copper, depicting a gentleman in profile. He wears a curled wig, a high‑collared coat with a ruffled sleeve, and his shoulders are turned toward the viewer. The composition is set against an unadorned background, which directs attention to the sitter’s facial features and the intricate folds of his attire.