Friedrich Christian, Prince-Elector of Saxony, Prince of Poland, Gottfried Boy, 1751
oil on canvas, h 144cm × w 113cm × d 8cm More details
The court painter Gottfried Boy portrayed Friedrich Christian of Saxony in full regalia. The likeness conceals the fact that he had a physical disability and used a wheelchair. Against the wishes of his mother, who wanted one of his younger brothers to ascend the throne, he became Elector of Saxony in 1763. He began instituting major administrative reforms, but died of smallpox after a reign of only 74 days.
