Gezicht op het Neues Palais te Potsdam 1755 - 1779

This print shows a view of the Neues Palais in Potsdam, near Berlin. It was made by the Kaiserlich Franziskische Akademie. Completed in 1769, the palace was King Frederick the Great’s demonstration of Prussia’s power and resilience after the Seven Years’ War. He sought to prove that the kingdom's resources and prestige remained intact, commissioning a lavish baroque structure. This print, likely made around the same time, reinforces that message. Note how the architecture dominates the composition, overshadowing the figures in the foreground. The bright pastel colours give the building a festive air, while the formal garden suggests a carefully ordered society. The print’s function extends beyond mere representation; it actively promotes an image of Prussian strength. To fully understand this artwork, further research into the political climate of 18th-century Prussia is essential, looking at things such as royal patronage, the economics of architectural display, and the way art served the state. Only then can we understand the cultural and institutional context within which this print was made.