The scene features Frederick II of Prussia playing the flute at a soirée in Sanssouci, a work by Adolph Menzel who was one of the most popular and important Realist painters of the 19th century. In front of the king is the chamber music ensemble and behind him an audience of dignitaries and noble ladies

Under the rule of Frederick, Prussia greatly increased its territories and became a major military power in Europe; the king is also known for his patronage of the arts and the Enlightenment

Sanssouci is a Rococo-style summer palace in Potsdam, a private residence for Frederick II to escape from the formality of the royal court. The name comes from a French expression meaning "Without worries", signifying that the palace was meant as a place of relaxation, rather than a seat of power

Menzel’s painting shows an intimate ambience under dim and warm candlelight, showcasing Frederick’s artistic talent rather than his miliary successes

Twenty years after the construction of Sanssouci, Frederick built the far bigger New Palace in the western part of the Sanssouci Park, intended to demonstrate Prussia's capabilities despite its near defeat in the Seven Years’ War, considered to be the first global conflict in history