Produced for the 300th birthday of Zieten in 1899. Highly detailed representation of Zieten in the uniform of a General of Hussars with winged hussar cap and elaborate decorations. The sculpture in bronze, hollow cast and burnished. Signed on reverse by the artist “Karl Janssen”, work number “1810”. Height approximately 74 cm, weight approximately 30 kg. Condition 2.

Hans Joachim von Zieten, also known as Zieten aus dem Busch (born May 14, 1699 in Wustrau; died January 27, 1786 in Berlin) was one of the most famous cavalry generals in Prussian history and a close confidant of King Friedrich the Great. He owed his fame in part to his extraordinary successes in the Silesian Wars. Long after his death, he continued to enjoy high esteem and his life and work were frequently commemorated.

Karl Ludwig Rudolf Janssen (born May 29, 1855 in Düsseldorf; died December 2, 1927 ibid.) was a German sculptor. From 1872 to 1880 he studied at the Royal Prussian Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf. In 1884 he was commissioned to create the sculpture Vater Rhein und seine Töchter for the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm I to Düsseldorf, which pleased the people of Düsseldorf so much that twelve years later—in 1897—he was commissioned to produce a permanent bronze version as a fountain. One year earlier, he had successfully completed a commission for a representative equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm.

A very fine work! Due to its size and execution as a freestanding sculpture, it can be assumed that the piece was originally placed in a prominent location, such as a palace or barracks.

Due to the weight, personal pickup or delivery at a fair is requested.

375935

€ 9.500,00

Kingdom of Prussia Large Bust of General Hans Joachim von Zieten under Friedrich II

The monumental bronze bust of General Hans Joachim von Zieten (1699-1786) represents a significant example of Prussian commemorative culture in the late 19th century. Created by the renowned sculptor Karl Janssen in 1899 to commemorate the 300th birthday of the legendary cavalry general, this imposing full-round sculpture embodies the veneration Prussia accorded its military heroes.

Hans Joachim von Zieten, popularly known as “Zieten aus dem Busch” (Zieten from the Bush), was born on May 14, 1699, in Wustrau and died on January 27, 1786, in Berlin. He ranks among the most famous cavalry generals in Prussian history and was a close confidant of King Frederick the Great. His military fame derived primarily from his extraordinary successes in the Silesian Wars (1740-1763). Zieten distinguished himself through personal bravery, strategic acumen, and the ability to lead his hussar regiments with unparalleled effectiveness. His boldly executed cavalry charges and reconnaissance missions contributed substantially to Prussian victories.

The bust depicts Zieten in his characteristic uniform as General of Hussars, wearing the distinctive winged cap (Flügelmütze) and richly decorated with significant orders and decorations. This meticulously detailed representation reflects not only Zieten's military rank but also the iconography that had developed around his person. The hussar uniform with its characteristic fur trimming and elaborate braiding symbolized the elite of the Prussian cavalry.

Karl Ludwig Rudolf Janssen (1855-1927) was one of the leading sculptors of Wilhelmine Germany. After studying at the Royal Prussian Art Academy in Düsseldorf (1872-1880), he quickly established himself as a specialist in monumental sculptures and representative memorials. His best-known work is the Father Rhine Fountain in Düsseldorf (1897), but his equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm from 1896 also received great acclaim. Janssen's style is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, classicist proportions, and dignified monumentality.

The creation in 1899 for Zieten's 300th birthday is indicative of hero worship in the German Empire. During the era of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the memory of Prussian-German military history experienced a renaissance. Zieten was stylized as the embodiment of Prussian virtues such as duty, courage, and loyalty to the monarch. The production of monumental bronze busts of significant military personalities served to create identity and legitimize the Empire through reference to gloriously transfigured epochs.

The technical execution of the bust deserves special attention. With a height of approximately 74 cm and a weight of about 30 kg, it is a hollow-cast, burnished bronze sculpture. Bronze casting of this scale required considerable craftsmanship and was expensive. The burnishing, a chemical surface treatment to create a dark patina, gave the work a noble, dignified appearance. The signature “Karl Janssen” on the reverse, along with the work number “1810,” documents authenticity and enables attribution within Janssen's oeuvre.

Conceived as a full-round sculpture, the bust was designed to be viewed from all sides. This suggests an original installation at a prominent, publicly accessible location—possibly in a palace, barracks, officers' mess, or military educational institution. Such monuments served to inspire young officers and maintain military traditions.

The historical significance of such objects extends beyond their artistic value. They are material witnesses to Prussian-German commemorative culture and reflect the social values of their time of origin. The veneration of Zieten persisted into the 20th century and was instrumentalized by various political systems. The bust thus represents not only the historical Zieten but also the historical images and ideals of the Empire around 1900.

Today, such works constitute important museum-worthy and collectible objects that provide insights into the art history, military history, and mentalité of the 19th century. They document the tradition of ruler veneration, the significance of the military in Prussian-German society, and the artistic expressions of their era. Works of this quality and historical importance are rare on the market and represent significant testimonies to an epoch in which military achievements and personalities were central to national identity.