An equestrian portrait of King Frederick II of Prussia (1712-1786), in military dress

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.