Johann Christof Merck

Johann Christof Merck, or Merk (before 1695, Schwäbisch Hall – after 1726, Potsdam) was a German painter who specialized in uniformed portraits and animals.

In 1786, the Berlin historian, Friedrich Nicolai, noted that his family background had not been handed down, nor was there any indication of where or with whom he may have received his artistic training.

Under the reign of Elector Frederick III (later King Frederick I of Prussia), he created hunting scenes and animal paintings, including one of his best known works, the "Ulmer Mastiff" (1705), one of the King's favorite dogs.

From 1717 he worked at the court of King Frederick William I in Potsdam.

The King, who was known as the "Soldatenkönig" (Soldier King), commissioned Merck to paint life-size portraits of all the members of his Prussian Infantry Regiment #6, called the "Langen Kerls" (Tall Guys) or, in English, the Potsdam Giants.