I came across this recent update on the Kronoskaf/Project Seven Years War site.

It should I believe result in some remodelling of Frederick figures across the wargaming world. I have some figures in 15mm of Frederick, all with a thin face, a stoop and round shoulders, which is the image that comes from the Christopher Duffy book.

Apparently Frederick did not submit to sitting for portraits so the Duffy image is one of the few we have. However he did sit for just one in 1763 just after the Seven Years War which has now come to light. (Where its been? Don't ask me.)

It shows an image very different from the generally accepted one. 

http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Frederick_II

Interesting stuff

Nice find. Hell of an upbringing!

Yes, I always understood that Frederick, always portrayed as thin and pinched, was actually quite chubby. 

Yes, it is  a good portrait, but it is hardly a new find. It is the cover picture of Giles McDonogh's biography "Frederick the Great: A life in Deeds and Letters", published by St Martin's Press back in 2001.

Mollinary

Quote from: mollinary on 23 September 2013, 12:55:51 PM
Yes, it is  a good portrait, but it is hardly a new find. It is the cover picture of Giles McDonogh's biography "Frederick the Great: A life in Deeds and Letters", published by St Martin's Press back in 2001.

Mollinary

Doh! Last one to know again. The portrait was new to me anyway. 

You made me go and find a book I had read last year on Frederick in anticipation that I was going to have a " I can't believe I'm that stupid" type moment. But no (phew) it is the David Fraser biography. I must say it is also a jolly good book and I would recomend it to anybody interested in the period.

Cheers, Rob 

New to me, looking quite smug, just heard the news of the Empress Elizabeth's demise perhaps (too young, yes I know Andrew, just being facetious, BTW how's is retirement suiting you?)

Quote from: Rob on 24 September 2013, 09:57:02 AM
Doh! Last one to know again. The portrait was new to me anyway. 

You made me go and find a book I had read last year on Frederick in anticipation that I was going to have a " I can't believe I'm that stupid" type moment. But no (phew) it is the David Fraser biography. I must say it is also a jolly good book and I would recomend it to anybody interested in the period.

Cheers, Rob 

Christopher Duffy's Frederick the Great: A Military Life shows the young Fritz as a round faced stocky youth. Frederick the Great: the Magnificent Enigma by Robert B. Asprey, published in 1986, shows a miniature of Frederick, from the British Museum, in later life as a fairly corpulent man. The image of him as a shrunken figure seems to come from his old age. He died at 74, which might explain it. 

Possibly also because of Otto Gebühr's depiction of Fritz in the Great King, he was a pretty wizened figure himself.

QuotePossibly also because of Otto Gebühr's depiction of Fritz in the Great King, he was a pretty wizened figure himself.

Good point. Film images are powerful, whether or not they're accurate.
Good film too