The all-male tobacco parliaments [Tabakskollegien] of Frederick William I (r. 1713-40) had little in common with the convivial smoking parties [Tabagien] of his father and predecessor, Frederick I (r. 1701-13). The “parliaments” were not particularly festive occasions; rather, they simply marked the end of the day-long working sessions that Frederick William I and his ministers held once a week.
In this scene, the king’s younger sons, Prince Heinrich (1726-1802) and Prince Ferdinand (1730-1813), interrupt one of their father’s tobacco parliaments, perhaps to bid him good night.
Source: Oil painting by Georg Lisiewski, ca.
1738/39.
bpk-Bildagentur, image number 00012914. For rights
inquiries, please contact Art Resource at requests@artres.com (North
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bpk / Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg