Frederick the Great thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Frederick the Great

Figure and Pedestal
1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin (manufacturer)
Schadow, Johann Gottfried (sculptor)
Place of origin
Berlin (made)

Figure in biscuit porcelain, showing Frederick the Great as a soldier, reformer, patron and energetic ruler, on a pedestal.

Object details

Categories
Ceramics
Portraits
Porcelain
Figures & Decorative Ceramics
Object type
Figure and pedestal
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Figure
  • Pedestal
TitleFrederick the Great (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Biscuit porcelain
Biscuit
Brief description
Figure of Frederick the Great and pedestal, biscuit porcelain, after sculpture by J.G. Schadow, made by Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur Berlin, Berlin, 1850
Physical description
Figure in biscuit porcelain, showing Frederick the Great as a soldier, reformer, patron and energetic ruler, on a pedestal.
Dimensions
  • Whole height: 49.5cm
  • Whole width: 15.2cm
  • Whole depth: 15.2cm (Note: Figure on pedestal)
  • Figure height: 27.7cm
  • Figure width: 10cm
  • Figure depth: 11cm
  • Pedestal height: 21.8cm
  • Pedestal width: 15.2cm
  • Pedestal depth: 15.2cm
Gallery label
(1987-2006)
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'

Gottfried Schadow was regarded as Germany's greatest sculptor. His official, public and royal commissions celebrated every possible occasion and personality. The original of this figure, made in 1793, was placed at the gate of the Paradeplatz, in Stettin. In 1877 it was moved into the Ständehaus and replaced with a bronze version. Schadow made several portraits of Frederick the Great. This one shows the Monarch as a soldier, reformer, patron of the arts and Man of Vision, while presenting a lively portrait of an able and energetic ruler.
Credit line
Given by HRH Prince Albert, the Prince Consort
Object history
The Schadow original of this figure, made in 1793, was placed at the gate of the Paradeplatz, in Stettin. In 1877 it was moved into the Ständehaus and replaced with a bronze version. Schadow made several portraits of Frederick the Great. This one shows the Monarch as a soldier, reformer, patron of the arts and Man of Vision, while presenting a lively portrait of an able and energetic ruler.
Historical context
Gottfried Schadow was regarded as Germany's greatest sculptor. His official, public and royal commissions celebrated every possible occasion and personality.
Production
The original figure was sculpted by Johann Gottfried Schadow in 1793.
Subjects depicted
Man
King
Frederick II (King of Prussia)
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
4746&A-1858

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Record createdMay 8, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O123753/frederick-the-great-figure-and-pedestal-schadow-johann-gottfried/
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