OIL PAINTING OF A PRUSSIAN GENERAL OF THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR
Most attractive and historic contemporary oil painting, 29" x 32 1/4" (sight), a portrait of KARL ADOLF AUGUST VON EBEN UND BRUNNEN (1734-1800), a Prussian general successively in command of the Hussar Regiments of Belling, der Schulenberg, and Ziethen during the Seven Years' War, present at the battles of Lobositz, Prague, Kolin, Kunersdorf, Rossbach, and Freiberg. This striking portrait, executed circa 1780, is a waist-up depiction of the general, elegantly dressed in a red coat with gold piping throughout, and a white ermine-lined red cape about his shoulders. He wears a jeweled signet ring on his left hand. At his throat is his badge of the Order of the Red Eagle, awarded in recognition of valor in battle and excellence in military leadership. Von Eben und Brunnen was also a recipient of the Pour le Merite, better known in the 20th century as the "Blue Max". The canvas bears the subject's name, "Genrl. von Eben & Brunnern", on the verso. The painting bears fine craquelure over its whole surface, with an approx. 1/2" square patch of paint missing near his left forearm, at the lower right corner. The painting is set in a finely carved gilt wood frame. Unsigned, very good.