Artwork
The Prussian Royal Family
The Prussian Royal Family is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1796, this etching presents a formal gathering of the Prussian royal household.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1796, this etching presents a formal gathering of the Prussian royal household. Rendered on laid paper, the composition arranges several members of the dynasty in a spacious interior, their dignified postures framed by a foreground tree that suggests depth. The tonal range of the print is limited to shades of gray, emphasizing the solemn atmosphere of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a moment of regal presence, portraying the king, queen, and their offspring in an ordered arrangement that reflects the hierarchical structure of the court. By situating the figures within a domestic setting, the artist underscores the continuity of the dynasty and the public role of the family as symbols of state stability.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching with a remarque proof, the image displays Chodowiecki’s precise line work and careful handling of light. Subtle chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume, modeling the figures and furnishings through gradations of tone. The use of laid paper adds a faint texture that complements the delicate ink washes, characteristic of late‑18th‑century German printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, a Berlin‑based artist of Huguenot‑Polish descent who later directed the Berlin Academy of Art.
The print was produced by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, a Berlin‑based artist of Huguenot‑Polish descent who later directed the Berlin Academy of Art. Though primarily known for his prolific series of etchings, this particular piece reflects his engagement with contemporary courtly subjects. It entered private collections shortly after its creation and has since been documented in several European print catalogues.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniel Niklaus Chodowiecki (16 October 1726 – 7 February 1801) was a German painter and printmaker of Huguenot and Polish ancestry, who is most famous as an etcher.
