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Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740)
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Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740)
Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740). King of Prussia. Frederick William I as the patron protector of Protestants from Salzburg in 1732. Engraving by Johan Benjamin Bruhl
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Media ID 14319671
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
1732 Benjamin Brandenburg Bruhl Cloud Elector Frederick Hohenzollern Johan Monarch Monarchy Patron Protection Protector Protestant Protestantism Protestants Prussia Prussian Salzburg
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative engraving by Johan Benjamin Bruhl, Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740) is depicted as a benevolent monarch and a staunch protector of Protestant refugees from Salzburg in 1732. The image captures the King in the prime of his life, with a serious yet compassionate expression on his face, as he gazes out over a cloud-specked sky towards the distant town of Salzburg. The elector of Brandenburg, as he was then known before his election as King of Prussia in 1701, was a member of the powerful Hohenzollern dynasty and a key figure in European politics during the early 18th century. The engraving reflects the historical context of the time, when religious tensions were running high in Europe, particularly in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1731, the Archbishop of Salzburg, Ferdinand II Anton Eusebius von Trauttmansdorff, issued an edict expelling all Protestants from the city and its territories. Thousands of Protestants were forced to flee, seeking refuge in neighboring states, including Brandenburg-Prussia. Frederick William I, who was himself a Protestant, welcomed the refugees with open arms, granting them asylum and providing them with financial assistance. The engraving commemorates this act of compassion and highlights the King's role as a patron and protector of his people, particularly those in need. The sun setting in the background symbolizes the hope and promise of a brighter future for the refugees, who are shown in the foreground, gathered around the King, seeking his protection. Overall, this engraving is a powerful reminder of the important role that monarchs could play in shaping the lives of their subjects and the history of their lands.
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