Frederick the Great playing the flute

[New Sancai Compilation and First Release] "Frederick the Great Playing the Flute at Sanssouci" or "The Flute Concert" was written by German painter Adolph von Menzel , 1815 – 1905) oil painting on historical themes created in 1852. It depicts Frederick the Great (1712 – 1786), King of Prussia, playing the flute at a concert at the Palace of Sanssouci and is now in the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.

Menzel was one of the most important painters of the 19th century. His works recorded the life of the Prussian people at that time, especially the life of Frederick the Great. The Palace of Sanssouci in the painting was the summer residence of Frederick the Great near Berlin.

The painting depicts a musical evening in the palace, with Frederick the Great himself playing the flute in center stage. In front of him sat his chamber orchestra, and behind him an audience of dignitaries and ladies. The focus of the work is not the concert, but the atmosphere created by Frederick the Great and the interior design, furniture, chandeliers and candlelight, as well as the exquisite gowns of the ladies.

In the 19th century, kings became a popular subject in history paintings and prints of the time. The above piece playing the flute is one of several woodblock prints of Menzel's depiction of Frederick the Great's life, although he has avoided depicting Frederick the Great with a crooked nose . Menzel, one of the famous German illustrators, was awarded the highest honor of the Kingdom of Prussia, the Order of the Black Eagle, and the title of nobility in 1898, and died in Berlin at the age of 90.

Some netizens commented that the main achievements of Frederick the Great included his victory in the Silesian War, the reorganization of the Prussian army, his participation in the partition of Polish territory, and his support for art and the Enlightenment. Under his rule, the Prussian Empire successfully expanded its territory and became a military power in Europe.

(Compilation: Bai Ding)

(Editor in charge: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: New Sancai first release)