The portrait of the Grand Duchess was painted by German artist Friedrich August von Kaulbach. In the painting he featured the airy dress of the grand duchess by subtly painting the folds and frills of the flowing fabric. In the late 19th century balloon sleeves were in fashion, emphasizing small feminine waists. The thoroughly painted folds of the dress’s solid train show the finest artistry of Kaulbach as a colourist: he employs a variety of shades to reveal a magnificent play of the heavy fabric. The painter translates the majestic tranquillity and inner harmony of his heroine into this lofty poetic image. The exhibition displays the reproduction of the portrait created by Kaulbach, with its original housed in the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art in Baki. The Grand Duchess was painted by many prominent artists – both at home and in Europe. One of them − Mikhail Nesterov – knew Elisabeth Feodorovna quite well.
Friedrich August von Kaulbach was the son of painter Friedrich Kaulbach. He studied in the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg and then became his father’s pupil. The artist became famous for his portraits of women: he often painted dreamy images of his female contemporaries, featuring the details and décor in his paintings.
Friedrich August von Kaulbach was the son of painter Friedrich Kaulbach. He studied in the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg and then became his father’s pupil. The artist became famous for his portraits of women: he often painted dreamy images of his female contemporaries, featuring the details and décor in his paintings.
