Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig Collection

The Proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles, 18 January 1871, (1936). Creator: Unknown
The Proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles, 18 January 1871, (1936). Kaiserproklamation in Versailles, 18 Januar 1871

William I King of Prussia, 1859 (engraving)
7243385 William I King of Prussia, 1859 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: William I, Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 1797-1888. King of Prussia and First German Emperor)

Painting depicting the coronation of King William of Prussia, 19th century (print)
3524001 Painting depicting the coronation of King William of Prussia, 19th century (print); (add.info.: Painting depicting the coronation of King William of Prussia (1797-1888)

Portrait of King William of Prussia during the Battle of Koniggratz
3523977 Portrait of King William of Prussia during the Battle of Koniggratz; (add.info.: Portrait of King William I of Prussia (1797-1888) during the Battle of Koniggratz

Surrender of Napoleon III to Prussians after Battle of Sedan with Wilhelm I (lithograph)
7243354 Surrender of Napoleon III to Prussians after Battle of Sedan with Wilhelm I (lithograph); Private Collection; (add.info)

Emperor William I. illustrated war history, German - French war 1870-1871
UIG5413219 Emperor William I. illustrated war history, German - French war 1870-1871; UIG

Proclamation of the German Empire on 18/01/1871 in the Ice Gallery in Versailles following the French defeat during
AIS5362447 Proclamation of the German Empire on 18/01/1871 in the Ice Gallery in Versailles following the French defeat during the War of 1870 against Prussia

Wilhelm I (1859-1888) King of Prussia from 1861, being proclaimed first Emperor of Germany, 1871
527345 Wilhelm I (1859-1888) King of Prussia from 1861, being proclaimed first Emperor of Germany, 1871.; (add.info.: After the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871)

Babelsberg, the Summer Residence of the Prince and Princess Frederick William of Prussia, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Babelsberg, the Summer Residence of the Prince and Princess Frederick William of Prussia, 1858. The Castle...was a creation of his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia

German warship Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, 20th century. Artist: Albert Sebille
German warship Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, 20th century

A Metz; L'empereur Guillaume 1er, 1918. Creator: Unknown
A Metz; L'empereur Guillaume 1er, 1918. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Night fete at Tuileries, June 10, 1867, on the occasion of the visit of foreign sovereigns to the Universal Exhibition, current 1st arrondissement, between 1862 and 1872

Wilhelm I of Germany/Prussia, 1870 (engraving)
1575641 Wilhelm I of Germany/Prussia, 1870 (engraving) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: the first German Emperor and his army. Dated 1870); Universal History Archive/UIG

Portrait Wilhelm I of Germany/Prussia 1870 (engraving)
1575639 Portrait Wilhelm I of Germany/Prussia 1870 (engraving) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: Engraving of King William I of Prussia (1797 - 1888) the first German Emperor

Wilhelm I is proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, France, Historic
7279608 Wilhelm I is proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, France, Historic by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Pillory-Phrenology: Caricature of William I of Prussia, 1870 (colour engraving)
904742 Pillory-Phrenology: Caricature of William I of Prussia, 1870 (colour engraving) by Belloguet, A. (19th century); Musee d Art et d Histoire, Saint-Denis, France

Portrait of Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, Emperor of Germany (1797-1888), Lyon, 19th century

H. R. H. the Prince of Prussia, Prince-Regent, 1860-69. Creator: L. Hse & Company
H.R.H. the Prince of Prussia, Prince-Regent, 1860-69. [Portrait of Wilhelm I, the future Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia]. Albumen print

Wm Fred. King of Prussia, pub. by Richard Evans, engr Romney
780252 Wm Fred. King of Prussia, pub. by Richard Evans, engr Romney, illustration from An Historical Account of the Battle of Waterloo by William Mudford, 1816 (coloured engraving) by English School

Toppled equestrian statue of Wilhelm I, Metz, France, 1918, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Toppled equestrian statue of Wilhelm I, Metz, France, 1918, (c1920). What Alsatians did to the Statue of William I at Metz

Versailles, 1871: Proclaiming King William Emperor of Germany, 1890. Creator: Unknown
Versailles, 1871: Proclaiming King William Emperor of GermanyVersailles, 1871: Proclaiming King William Emperor of Germany, 1890

The SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse and Captain Otto Cuppers, c1905. Creator: Unknown
The SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse and Captain Otto Cuppers, c1905. Passenger liner of the North German Lloyd (Norddeutscher Lloyd) shipping line, 14, 349 tons, 627 feet long, 66 feet wide

King Wilhelm I at the tomb of his parents, 19 July 1870, (1936). Creator: Unknown
King Wilhelm I at the tomb of his parents, 19 July 1870, (1936). Konig Wilhelm I Am Grabe Seiner Eltern, 19 Juli 1870. Wilhelm I, Emperor of Germany

Meeting of King Wilhelm I and Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm at... Koniggratz
Meeting of King Wilhelm I and Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm at the Battle of Koniggratz, 3 July 1866, (1936). Begegnung Konig Wilhelms I Mit Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm In Der Schlacht Bei

Coronation of Wilhelm I in Konigsberg, 18 October 1861, (1936). Creator: Unknown
Coronation of Wilhelm I in Konigsberg, 18 October 1861, (1936). Kronung Wilhelms I in Konigsberg, 18 Oktober 1861. Wilhelm I (1797-1888)

First meeting of Queen Louise and her children after the Battle of Jena, 18 October 1806, (1936). Erste Begegnung Der Konigin Luise Mit Ihren Kindern Nach Der Schlacht Bei Jena, 18 Oktober 1806

The explorer Nachtigal with Sheik Omar of Bornu, 5 June 1870, (1936). Creator: Unknown
The explorer Nachtigal with Sheik Omar of Bornu, 5 June 1870, (1936). Der Forscher Nachtigal Bei Scheich Omar Von Bornu, 5 Juni 1870

Emperor and Chancellor, 1871, (1936). Creator: Unknown
Emperor and Chancellor, 1871, (1936). Kaiser Und Kanzler. After the joint victory of the German states in the Franco-Prussian War

Emperor Napoleon is taken to see the king by Bismarck, 2 September 1870, (1936). Creator: Unknown
Emperor Napoleon is taken to see the king by Bismarck, 2 September 1870, (1936). Kaiser Napoleon Wird Durch Bismarck Zum Konig Geleitet, 2 September 1870. Scene from the Franco-Prussian War

King Wilhelm and Emperor Napoleon after the Battle of Sedan, 2 September 1870, (1936). Konig Wilhelm Und Kaiser Napoleon Nach Der Schlacht Von Sedan, 2 September 1870

Emperor Wilhelm I, (1936). Creator: Unknown
Emperor Wilhelm I, (1936). Kaiser Wilhelm I. Wilhelm I, Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia (1797-1888) at the Battle of Gravelotte, the largest engagement of the Franco-Prussian War

Versailles, (1919). Creator: Unknown
Versailles, (1919). The palace of Versailles in France: From September 1870 till the conclusion of peace in 1871, Versailles was the Headquarters of the German army

Wilhelm I, (1933). Creator: Unknown
Wilhelm I, (1933). Portrait of Wilhelm I when young, as Prince of Prussia (1797-1888). Kaiser Wilhelm became King of Prussia in 1861

Bismark Give Me the Pot, late 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Bismark Give Me the Pot, late 19th century. Poem in French and satirical caricature of Wilhelm I (1797-1888), Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia, and Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)

Long Live his Imperial Majesty Emperor William I, 1913. Artist: Arthur C Michael
Long Live his Imperial Majesty Emperor William I, 1913. Wilhelm I (1797-1888), King of Prussia from 1861, was proclaimed the first Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

William I, Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, 1797 - 1888. King of Prussia and First German Emperor. From L Univers Illustre, published Paris, 1859

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"Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig: The Architect of German Unity and Imperial Power" Step into the grandeur of history as we explore the life and legacy of Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, a pivotal figure in shaping Germany's destiny. From his proclamation as Emperor at Versailles to his enduring reign as King of Prussia, Wilhelm I left an indelible mark on European politics. In 1871, amidst the opulence of Versailles, Wilhelm I stood tall as he accepted the crown that would unite Germany under one powerful empire. This iconic moment captured in an enigmatic painting from 1936 symbolizes not only a new era for Germany but also its emergence onto the global stage. Before ascending to imperial glory, Wilhelm I had already established himself as a formidable leader. Engravings from 1870 depict him with regal poise and strength befitting a monarch who commanded both respect and admiration. His steely determination is palpable in these portraits, showcasing his unwavering commitment to Prussian ideals. However, not all depictions were flattering; caricatures like "Pillory-Phrenology" reveal how political satire sought to undermine his authority during turbulent times. Yet despite such challenges, Wilhelm I's resolve remained unshaken. Beyond his role as emperor and king, Wilhelm I was also known for his deep familial ties. A poignant image shows him paying homage at the tomb of his parents—a testament to his reverence for tradition and duty even amidst tumultuous times. The equestrian statue erected in Metz stands today as a reminder of both triumphs and defeats faced by this influential ruler. Its toppling in 1918 serves as an emblematic representation of changing tides within Europe during World War I—an era that saw empires crumble while new nations emerged. Yet amid these shifts came lasting symbols of German might—such as the majestic SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse ocean liner captained by Otto Cuppers.