Johann Christof Merk is said to have been born at Schwäbisch-Hall, in Württemberg, and to have been Court Painter in Berlin from 1695 to 1717. He was still working in 1726. In 1714, Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740) formed a Leib-Bataillon of Grenadiers in the Königs-Regiment. The men, known popularly as Riesengrenadiere (Giant Grenadiers), were chosen for their stature, and, when need arose, were found from outside the Kingdom of Prussia. Full-length, standing, facing very slightly to the right, wearing buff trousers with white gaiters, buff waistcoat and a dark blue coat with red facings; a long musket sloped over his left shoulder; tall gold mitre hat.