Ferdinand, Duke of Braunschweig and Lüneburg

Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg (1721-1792), identified by comparisons with other portraits,¹ son of Ferdinand Albrecht II and his wife Antoinette Amalie, was in Prussian service from 1740 to 1766. This miniature shows him as famous general in front of an intimated landscape scenery. He is wearing breast armour and a blue coat trimmed with ermine, which shows him to be of high military rank. His short powdered wig, his armour, his orders and his coat, carried casually over his arm, are the typical accessories for a ruler’s portrait of that time. Ferdinand distinguished himself during the Seven Years’ War. In the Battle of Minden in 1759, he victoriously led the allied army against the French and received the Order of the Garter for his achievements on 16 August 1759.² His admission to this order, which consists of one class of 26 members, was celebrated with overwhelming pomp.

D. O.