648 - W. MEYERHEIM (*1815), Frederick William IV and Elisabeth Ludovika, Tinted Lithograph

W. MEYERHEIM (*1815), Frederick William IV and Elisabeth Ludovika, Tinted Lithograph Wilhelm Alexander Meyerheim (1815, Gdańsk – 1882, Berlin): Prussian royal couple Frederick William IV and Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, 19th century, tinted lithograph Technique: Tinted lithograph on paper Inscription: Signed in the lower part of the printing plate: “Gez. u. lith. v. Meyerheim.” Inscribed in the lower part of 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 Berlin painters, depicts 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 held 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 image already refers to 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 in a less “lifelike” manner. This sheet portrays 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, thereby 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 during this early phase of Frederick William’s reign. Person: Depicted: King Frederick William IV of Prussia (1795–1861) Depicted: Queen Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, Prussia (1801, Munich – 1873, Dresden) She 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), Image: 35.8 cm x 22.4 cm (14.1 x 8.8 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. The upper right corner has been restored; there is slight wear in the upper right area of the black border.