Lot 498: Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess (Dresden 1769-1849 Wilhelmsdorf)

Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess (Dresden 1769-1849 Wilhelmsdorf)
An equestrian portrait of King Frederick II of Prussia (1712-1786), in military dress
signed 'Hess pinx.' (lower left)
pastel on paper
451 x 384 mm.

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Hess was a highly respected horse painter in the 18th century untill wel into the 19th century. His most famous work is the large painting 'The March of the Cossacks of the Ural through Bohemia' exhibited in 1799.
Among the countries to which Hess travelled, were Hungary, Russia and Turkey, where he spent a substantial time painting horses. A genre in which he achieved championship as can be seen in the present lot. Hess had three sons, Peter (1792-1871), Henrik (1796-1863) and Karl (1801-1874) who became noticed artists as well. Especially Peter is known for his large oil compositions depicting the russian patriotic war of 1812 against Napoleon's armies. In 1808 Hess took on the role of teacher at the Art Academy in Vienna.