Frederick II by Bartolozzi after Ramberg

A fine eighteenth century stipple engraving printed in colour of Frederick II. Done byFrancesco BartolozziRA after the work by Johann HeinrichRamberg. Trimmed to the plate mark at the base; with small margins on three sides.

unframed.

Lettered, lower left: “H. Ramberg delin.”; lettered, lower right: “F. Bartolozzi sculp.”; lettered, lower center: “FREDERICK II, KING OF PRUSSIA.

Removed from the lower edge and outside of the plate mark, the detail that this print was “Publish’d as the Act directs May 4th.1787 by Aldermn. Boydell No.19 Cheapside London.”

plate size: 10 in x 14.25in

Following the death of his father, Frederick I, in 1740, Frederick II became the monarch of Prussia until his death in 1786. He was a supporter ofenlightened absolutism, stating that the ruler should be the first servant of the state.The majority of 19th-century German historians made Frederick a model warrior, praising his leadership, administrative efficiency, devotion to duty and success in building Prussia into a great power. Historians in the 21st century tend to view Frederick as an outstanding military leader and capable monarch, whose commitment to the culture of enlightenment and administrative reform built the foundation that allowed the Kingdom of Prussia to contest the AustrianHabsburgsfor leadership among the German states.