Peter Caulitz

Peter Caulitz was born to poor parents in Berlin^[1] in about 1650.^[2] He served as a drummer in a regiment of dragoons before becoming an assistant to a young painter who took him to Rome where he developed his skills as an artist.^[1]

Caulitz was back in Berlin by 1681,^[3] and in 1695 was appointed court painter to Frederick I of Prussia.^[3][4] He made a second visit to Italy in the company of his fellow court painter, Samuel Theodor Gericke.^[4] He retained his post at court until his death in Berlin in 1719.^[2]

Caulitz' work consists of landscapes, including views of Prussian royal castles, and pictures of animals, especially hens and turkeys.^[4] His animal paintings show the influence of the Dutch artists Melchior d'Hondecoeter and Jan Weenix. The Berlin Museum has a scene representing a poultry-yard by him; there are other examples at Potsdam and at Brunswick.^[2] Caulitz' washed pen piece, Landscape with a Ruin, became part of The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.^[5]

Caulitz also worked in mosaic and restored paintings. His widow continued the restoration business after his death.^[1]