648 - W. MEYERHEIM (*1815), Princess Wilhelm IV and Elisabeth Ludovika, Tinted Lithographie

W. MEYERHEIM (*1815), Princess Wilhelm IV and Elisabeth Ludovika, Tinted Lithographie Wilhelm Alexander Meyerheim (1815 Gdansk - 1882 Berlin): Prussian royal couple Frederick William IV and Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, 19th century, Tinted Lithographie Technique: Tinted Lithographie on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "Gez. u. lith. v. Meyerheim.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Preussens Königspaar. Eigenthum u. Verlag v. Liebmann u. Comp.". Date: 19th century Description: This lithograph by Wilhelm Meyerheim, brother of Eduard Meyerheim and scion of this important family of painters for Berlin, shows the Prussian royal couple strolling in the gardens of Charlottenhof Palace. The neoclassical portal and the column sculpture in the pond in front of it can be seen in the background. The grounds had a special significance for the royal couple: Frederick William's father gave them to the crown prince in 1825, shortly after his marriage to Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria. The lithograph was probably created around the time of Frederick William's accession to the throne in 1840, as the signature on the picture already lists both of them as the "royal couple". In at least one other depiction, the two are again shown in front of Charlottenhof Palace, but this time less 'lifelike'. The present sheet presents the king as a protective leader without displaying any insignia of power. The officer in the background is wearing other items of the royal couple's clothing, thus alluding to the informality and naturalness of the situation in order to convey closeness to the people and generate sympathy. From this perspective, the rare lithograph sheds an interesting light on the aspect of self-representation in this early phase of Frederick William's reign. Person: Depicted: King Friedrich Wilhelm IV., Prussia (1795 - 1861 ) Depicted: Queen Elisabeth Ludovika von Bayern, Prussia (1801 Munich - 1873 Dresden) Was Queen of Prussia as the wife of Frederick William IV. Keywords: Frederick William IV, Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, fashion, costume, uniform, family, military, king, princes, garden, 19th century, Biedermeier, Portraits, Germany, Size: Paper: 50,2 cm x 32,7 cm (19,8 x 12,9 in), Depiction: 35,8 cm x 22,4 cm (14,1 x 8,8 in) Condition: Rather good condition. Restored upper right corner, small rubbing in the upper right area of the black border.