Lot Essay
A double portrait of the sitter and her husband by Matthieu, signed and dated 1778, is in the Staatliches Museum, Schwerin (E. Steinmann & H. Witte, Georg David Matthieu - Ein deutscher Maler des Rokoko (1737-1778), 1911, p.49, no.49, plate XXIV).
The sitter, daughter of Johann August, Prince of Sachsen-Gotha-Roda (1704-1767) and Luise, Princess Reuz zu Schleiz, married Friedrich Franz I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1756-1837), who was to become Gran Duke in 1815, on 6 June 1775.
The sitter, daughter of Johann August, Prince of Sachsen-Gotha-Roda (1704-1767) and Luise, Princess Reuz zu Schleiz, married Friedrich Franz I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1756-1837), who was to become Gran Duke in 1815, on 6 June 1775.