18th Century Engraving: Frederick II of Prussia, Joh. D. Schleuen (1711-1771)
Rectangular engraving showing Frederick the Great of Prussia on a rising horse in the midst of a battle scene. Subtitled and with signature of Johann David Schleuen. The engraving being framed behind passepartout and glass within a very decorative Rococo-Style elaborately carved giltwood 19th century frame.
Beautiful and rare scene of Frederick II of Prussia.
Johann David Schleuen was a printmaker and publisher who worked together with his sons Johann Georg (1737-1799), Johann Friedrich (1739-1784) and Johann Wilhelm (1748-1812). Schleuen specialised in maps and topographical views especially of Berlin and Potsdam. and made a quite remarkable carreer moving from the fifth place of eight engravers working at that time in Berlin: Johann David Schleuen took the second place right behind court engraver Georg Heinrich Schmidt. From May 1765 until April 1767 the German writer Gotthold Ephraim Lessing lived together with his brother Karl at Schleuen’s house in Berlin where he finished “Laocoon” and “Minna von Barnhelm”.
Visible picture size: H. 49 cm x W. 37 cm
Condition: good, four min. and professionally fixed tears of paper, yellowing of paper – detailed condition report on request
