Prince Augustus William of Prussia was the brother and heir to Frederick the Great, but died before him. In 1742, he married Louisa Amalia of Brunswick-Bayern. Their son became Frederick William II, King of Prussia. The portrait probably derives from one of the state portraits by Antoine Pesne, court painter to Frederick I of Prussia, Augustus William's grandfather, whose brother-in-law, George, Elector of Hanover, became King of England (as George I) in 1714.

He is depicted as a young man, wearing a red jacket, floral waistcoat, orange riband and Star of the Order of the Black Eagle; gesturing to a landscape to the left.

For a miniature of the sitter at a slightly younger age see RCIN 420502.