This painting was purcased by previous owner at the important sale of Sothebys in the castle Monrepos by Stuttgart, on 9-14 October 2000, cat.No.448. It depicts two noble children with Polish orden of the White Eagle. Due to the Sothebys attribution they are children of last elected Polish king Stanislaw II August Antoni Poniatowski (1732 in Wo³czyn, Poland-Lithuania - 1798 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire).This painting was exewcuted in 1763 by Franz Martin Mayr, the court painter by the Duke Friedrich Michael Birkenfeld - Zweibrücken (1724-1767).

Stanis³aw II August, actually Stanis³aw Antoni Poniatowski came from the noble family of the Poniatowskis, was in 1764 with massive support from the Russian empress Catherine the Great was elected King of Poland and Grand Prince of Lithuania and ruled until his abdication in 1795, the last of the Polish electoral kings. As the principal and strong supporter of the constitution of May 3, 1791 (Europe´s first modern constitution), he is now considered one of the most important enlighteners.

Inscription: in German signed and dated by the artist on an additional part of canvas on the back of the painting: "Maijr./Hoffmaller beij Se. dürl. Herz.Frid./v:Zweijbrücken pinx. 1763"; labels of the Sothebys sale in the castle Monrepos and inventory label of the castle.

Technique: oil on canvas.  Antigue gilt frame..

Measurements: unframed w 28 5/8" x h 40 3/4" (72,7 x 103,4 cm), framed w 38 3/4" x h 51 1/3" (98,5 x 130,5 cm).

Condition: in good condition, old relining of original canvas.