A Legacy of Prussian Portraiture
Georg Lisiewski was a Baroque portrait painter who served at the court of King Frederick William I of Prussia. Of Polish descent, he became the progenitor of a notable family of painters that spanned three generations. His career in Berlin was marked by a style of austere portraits that remained highly appreciated, even during the sober rule of the "Soldier King." He rivaled Antoine Pesne as a leading court painter, supported by the cultured queen consort Sophia Dorothea.
His subjects included a diverse array of Prussian society, from high-ranking military figures to merchants. He painted portraits of generals, such as Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau, as well as colonels and members of the Potsdam Giants for the rooms of the Potsdam City Palace. Additionally, he pictured numerous Prussian state officials, nobles, and Berlin merchants. In 1715, he was summoned to Stettin by Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst to portray the subalterns of his infantry regiment.
Family and Artistic Lineage
Lisiewski’s influence extended through his descendants and students. He was the father of several notable artists, including:
His teaching also shaped the work of court painters such as Thomas Huber and David Matthieu. His professional connections were further strengthened through his relationship with the Anhalt House of Ascania; in 1730, he accompanied his daughter Anna Rosina to the Stettin court of Prince Christian August. While his career in Berlin concluded when Frederick II succeeded to the Prussian throne, he continued to receive orders from the Anhalt-Dessau court.
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