Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was a talented Prussian Field Marshal known for his participation in the War of Austrian succession, the Second Silesian War and the Seven Years' War. From 1757 to 1762 he led a victorious Anglo-German offensive against French attempts to occupy Hanover, serving alongside his nephew, Karl II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1735-1806), and the Duke of Cumberland. This naturally earned the gratitude of the Hanoverian monarchs, with the result that the Royal Collection has three other sets of portraits depicting this heroic uncle and nephew team: a stand-alone portrait (RCIN 400600), a version of it as part of a pair (RCIN 404638 and 404640), and two others by Ziesenis (RCIN 401370 & 401379 and RCIN 405906-7).

This is version of a portrait showing the sitter as an older man. Head and shoulders portrait, in scarlet military uniform with white facings, facing half to left; Garter ribbon and star with pendant cross of Order of Black Eagle; similar cross from buttonhole, other star partially hidden; hair powdered and tied.