Lot 4038: Prinz von Preußen, Friedrich Wilhelm Portrait of Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl, Pr...

Photographer: Philipp Graff (attributed to, 1814 - 1851?). Portrait of Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl, Prinz von Preußen (1831 - 1888), later Kaiser Friedrich III and King of Prussia. Circa 1841. Quarter-plate daguerreotype, in original glass cover with black glass mat and gilt frame line, opened and resealed. Friedrich Wilhelm was born in the New Palace in Potsdam on October 18, 1831 and was the only son of Prince Wilhelm (later Kaiser Wilhelm I). He was raised in his family's tradition of military service. His mother, Augusta von Sachsen Weimar, was known throughout Europe for her liberal views. Because of their differences, his parents did not have a happy marriage. As a result Friedrich grew up in a troubled household which left him with memories of a lonely childhood. This daguerreotype shows the young, somewhat melancholic prince at the age of circa 10. He is wearing the officer's uniform with the "Bruststern des Schwarzen Adler Ordens". This order was not an Order of Merit and the Prussian Princes received it as of birth. A prince's confirmation was the first time the uniform and order were worn. These circumstances and the very youthful appearance of the prince suggest a date of circa 1841. His later life is well-documented and after the death of Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1888, Friedrich Wilhelm became the German Emperor (Kaiser Friedrich III) and King of Prussia for 99 days. A similar portrait dated 1845 and attributed to Philipp Graff is in the collection of Haus Doorn and shows Friedrich Wilhelm circa 14 years old. Along with Louis Sachse, Theodor Dörffel, Johann Hosshauer, J.C. Schall and Eduard Petitpierre, Philipp Graff was one of the first photographers in Berlin. His title as court photographer also demonstrates his importance. Like many early photographers he died at the young age of 37 in 1851. Many well-known photographers learned their craft in Graff's studio which continued under his name until 1887. - Oxidation spots, stronger in lower edge, otherwise a clear image in good condition. Lit.: Bodo von Dewitz and Reinhard Matz (eds.). Silber und Salz. Zur Frühzeit der Photographie im deutschen Sprachraum 1839-1860. Cologne 1989, see p. 397.