The painting depicts Baroness Amalie von Krüdener, a famous beauty of the 19th century, with whom the young Fyodor Tyutchev fell in love with and to whom he later dedicated his poetry. They met in Munich, where he served as secretary of the Russian embassy for over fifteen years. Amalie impressed the future famous poet with her refined beauty, education and charm. Soon they fell deeply in love — their feelings were mutual.

In the fall of 1824, Tyutchev proposed to Amalie, and the countess agreed, but they were not meant to get married. The problem was that Amalie came from an old and rich family, and Tyutchev was a young freelance employee of the diplomatic mission and, moreover, who had neither the title nor the wealth. In the eyes of Amalie’s relatives, the young poet was the most improper match. Tyutchev was rejected. The poet was devastated. In 1836 Tyutchev wrote a poem “I remember a golden time…”, in which he described the time of his love. Literary scholars believe that this poem is dedicated to Amalie:

The poem makes it clear that the author kept warm feelings for his beloved. Nothing disturbs the peace of young people watching the sunset over the Danube from the hill, and the poet admires the young woman. Fyodor Tyutchev dedicated one more famous poem to the Baroness — “I met you, and all of the past time…” that he wrote years later in August 1870. This proves once again that the poet carried his affection for Amalie throughout his life.

The last time Tyutchev saw the countess was in March 1873, two months before his death. She came to visit the poet, having learned about his illness. Tyutchev wrote, “Yesterday I experienced a moment of sheer excitement as a result of my meeting with Countess Adlerberg, my good Amalie von Krüdener, who wished to see me in this world for the last time and to say goodbye to me. In her face, the past of my best years appeared to give me a farewell kiss.”