Antoine Pesne was born in Paris in 1683, son of a painter
who gave him his first lessons in art. He later studied at the
Academy and with his uncle, Charles de la Fosse. After an
extensive tour of Italy, Pesne came to Berlin in 1711 where
he would became a court painter of the Prussian king, staying
for over 46 years as a highly respected and well-paid figure at
court. He painted portraits of nearly everyone in the family.
He was also the director of the Berlin Academy. He was a
portraitist, and also executed monumental historical and
religious subjects. In 1720, he was made a member of the
Paris Academy of Arts. He died in 1757.
who gave him his first lessons in art. He later studied at the
Academy and with his uncle, Charles de la Fosse. After an
extensive tour of Italy, Pesne came to Berlin in 1711 where
he would became a court painter of the Prussian king, staying
for over 46 years as a highly respected and well-paid figure at
court. He painted portraits of nearly everyone in the family.
He was also the director of the Berlin Academy. He was a
portraitist, and also executed monumental historical and
religious subjects. In 1720, he was made a member of the
Paris Academy of Arts. He died in 1757.
| Portrait of the King as a Boy |
Antoine Pesne painted young Friedrich the Great and his
sister in 1714 at the same time as his father's forthcoming
campaign against Karl XII. of Sweden, who had invaded
Stralsund. According to an anecdote, Stettin was occupied
by 24,000 troops, and the little prince, the future Friedrich
the Great, heard the drums in the distant field. While young
Friedrich's favorite sister Wilhelmine wanted to play with
dolls, the Crown Prince wanted to strike the drum for their
marching. He is said to have told his sister: "Drums are more
useful to me than plays, dolls and flowers."
sister in 1714 at the same time as his father's forthcoming
campaign against Karl XII. of Sweden, who had invaded
Stralsund. According to an anecdote, Stettin was occupied
by 24,000 troops, and the little prince, the future Friedrich
the Great, heard the drums in the distant field. While young
Friedrich's favorite sister Wilhelmine wanted to play with
dolls, the Crown Prince wanted to strike the drum for their
marching. He is said to have told his sister: "Drums are more
useful to me than plays, dolls and flowers."
Many grand Pesne portraits were stolen by the Red Army
after World War Two and carted off to Russia where they
were destroyed or scattered. Left, Friedrich the Great who
now resides in Russia. Below, only an inconspicuous, small
common grave stone remains today of Pesne, left, and the
famous royal building master Knobelsdorff, right.
after World War Two and carted off to Russia where they
were destroyed or scattered. Left, Friedrich the Great who
now resides in Russia. Below, only an inconspicuous, small
common grave stone remains today of Pesne, left, and the
famous royal building master Knobelsdorff, right.
Queen Sophie Dorothea related this to her husband in a letter
of July 15, 1714 and told the King that Friedrich wants him
to return and teach him the drill. Also present in the picture is
a small dog. Friedrich had a life-long love for dogs.
of July 15, 1714 and told the King that Friedrich wants him
to return and teach him the drill. Also present in the picture is
a small dog. Friedrich had a life-long love for dogs.
