Bernhard Rode: A Prussian Painter of Kings and Enlightenment Bernhard Rode (1725-1797) stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of 18th-century Prussia, a painter whose work seamlessly blended Rococo elegance with the burgeoning influences of Neoclassicism. Born in Berlin to a goldsmith father, Rode’s early life was steeped in craftsmanship and artistic tradition, providing him with a solid foundation for his future career as both a painter and engraver. His lineage included not only his father but also his brothers Johann Heinrich Rode, an esteemed copper engraver, and Philipp R…