tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262096682024-03-06T23:36:35.409-08:002 - European Miniature PortraitsThis is part of the Artists and Ancestors collection of miniature portraits. For the Home page and links to American, British, and other European miniatures, please click on the links that appear when the page is fully open.Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-51967181447679773552014-08-26T19:40:00.002-07:002020-01-27T12:54:49.802-08:00Fischer, Josef - portrait of Prince Paul Anton III Esterhazy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdBJOqtS_g6wbKn3ZPmgbL-sgMOTTo-D1M8jZz9oyp7B5A-me8gK9BGJoRy8EGkWcVhicHIeSc4QgeJqk1QhKoiIqNUdujVbM0AB1Su_aNGU4p8YjY7XVfD4nR9YLmF5_ivIoZA/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdBJOqtS_g6wbKn3ZPmgbL-sgMOTTo-D1M8jZz9oyp7B5A-me8gK9BGJoRy8EGkWcVhicHIeSc4QgeJqk1QhKoiIqNUdujVbM0AB1Su_aNGU4p8YjY7XVfD4nR9YLmF5_ivIoZA/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0002.jpg" width="318" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbfOAwjDzL9HYKk2tJ_J2hyphenhyphenUE8ctkGTzrrnp-C7Px0gI2Vg3QH2yLPSOY2mr4YT5HmfYSKWakkE0ugsV1F3wLSKrN9n5YtF6LSFeU0ZTxCSAtIVHeqej0eKZFlV4zg5VzJxAbCw/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbfOAwjDzL9HYKk2tJ_J2hyphenhyphenUE8ctkGTzrrnp-C7Px0gI2Vg3QH2yLPSOY2mr4YT5HmfYSKWakkE0ugsV1F3wLSKrN9n5YtF6LSFeU0ZTxCSAtIVHeqej0eKZFlV4zg5VzJxAbCw/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0001.jpg" width="319" /></a>This pair of miniature portraits were a lucky and important find, which shows that looking carefully for bargains, trusting one's judgement, and then applying some detective work to the subject matter can lead to important discoveries.<br />
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The pair were advertised by an art dealer on eBay, as;
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<i>TWO MINIATURE PAINTINGS FRENCH(?) 1950's - For sale I have two miniature painting framed which seemed to be from France painted sometimes in the 50s'. Not sure if they are on enamel or paper so I sell them 'AS IS'. The diameter of each painting is 2.5 inches or 6.75 cm. They are in excellent condition and framed. Selling as a set.</i><br />
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My first instinct was that an art dealer would know what he was selling. If so they ought to be recent copies, as he said from the 1950's, with his BIN price reflecting their value as prints. But although they had a very poor photo on the listing, i.e. the one below showing them in their frames, they looked "right" as being genuine miniature portraits from the first half of the 19C.<br />
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Thus, they seemed worth the risk of buying. As is evident from the description, the inference was that they were of an unknown couple by an unknown artist.
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Hence there was anxious anticipation in awaiting their arrival.
While awaiting arrival it was possible to start research by considering
the uniform. Initially it appeared to be a police uniform, but that
seemed to lead nowhere. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE7F1E7KOmNGf-EYahIuVJmMCX1Dyh8gt31-KSHqp7QZEoiOoKWlHRtuzUPLKiF-my6VH90T41ecZSMW9kg-Q2TqtDX4jLC9zxEvst5c9Z8_WuZ_1n28Db-EPVrVKnpRU1uZ10A/s1600/ds+1487+french+pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE7F1E7KOmNGf-EYahIuVJmMCX1Dyh8gt31-KSHqp7QZEoiOoKWlHRtuzUPLKiF-my6VH90T41ecZSMW9kg-Q2TqtDX4jLC9zxEvst5c9Z8_WuZ_1n28Db-EPVrVKnpRU1uZ10A/s320/ds+1487+french+pair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
There is a well known saying "Caveat Emptor" meaning "Buyer Beware", but equally applies to vendors, as "Seller Beware". In a transaction the seller usually has the advantage as they have the item in their possession, can study and research it in detail, and seek independent opinions as to the value before indicating or quoting a price.<br />
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On arrival and carefully opening them, it was found they were signed on the reverse. That of the man is also signed in very tiny letters on the centre-front. One in a hand of 1837, with the date of 22 March 1837, and one appearing to be in a later hand, likely from the 20C. The early signature appeared to be that of J F Fischer who, according to Leo Schidlof, worked in Austria and exhibited at the Academy of Vienna in 1834. But little else seems to be known about him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-SzYqpEFd6h6IuqHGm0kwaiy1lpHpRpAdfdaq-uSJh5pAkOUPw37Eosq49r1sZfVLXc8V8yUFBdoV0oMx-_QuIzKsuRPAjG0idpEkUL8D_UtUyRuY_QBPX7npLFtJupFe63afA/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer+large+landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-SzYqpEFd6h6IuqHGm0kwaiy1lpHpRpAdfdaq-uSJh5pAkOUPw37Eosq49r1sZfVLXc8V8yUFBdoV0oMx-_QuIzKsuRPAjG0idpEkUL8D_UtUyRuY_QBPX7npLFtJupFe63afA/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer+large+landscape.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqyJWdq8E1z1eHenSAeBLz_QzDWNsrp0v_rRR9oeIQZ0EMA_8HeH8LUwoRuzcxvXAFXuVAiIEly_2KVBg5zMrfePxNZA_6Ccf1xquhMjJqf11nA67M9iPcWXYu2z9z9k7Pb1Otw/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqyJWdq8E1z1eHenSAeBLz_QzDWNsrp0v_rRR9oeIQZ0EMA_8HeH8LUwoRuzcxvXAFXuVAiIEly_2KVBg5zMrfePxNZA_6Ccf1xquhMjJqf11nA67M9iPcWXYu2z9z9k7Pb1Otw/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0004.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymxgDi5kysKslCxMbFIzaCjkardaJ2fryUtciUiue73gkMPJch8QOSLpW4VLtyUaxyvIJ-wSY1dXqubp1ygkR1eMWBSRpsS12DyqJRWadtlF0hq24BQX0JZYOVSInSWZqYBTnsQ/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymxgDi5kysKslCxMbFIzaCjkardaJ2fryUtciUiue73gkMPJch8QOSLpW4VLtyUaxyvIJ-wSY1dXqubp1ygkR1eMWBSRpsS12DyqJRWadtlF0hq24BQX0JZYOVSInSWZqYBTnsQ/s1600/ds+1487+Fischer_0005.jpg" /></a>That information was helpful, as it suggested the city scape was likely in Vienna, with the rural scene as a country home. However, contact via a friend in Europe who was able to ask a Vienna resident, concluded it was not in Vienna, but was suggested as perhaps somewhere in the region of Bohemia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8HsV6-2y_0KMXlI645kHGbQXFPAtVBiAsYZKPwl-fvzeLEzDNU8TpsYfgoivnCUXmYMpy73Ts6n6P-oZBZyFwe1wmA5gxrvUnE1kkGpJLOYUi2IP2zErfG_U1Go6RN_BEzlNsg/s1600/ds+1487+ex+Wiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8HsV6-2y_0KMXlI645kHGbQXFPAtVBiAsYZKPwl-fvzeLEzDNU8TpsYfgoivnCUXmYMpy73Ts6n6P-oZBZyFwe1wmA5gxrvUnE1kkGpJLOYUi2IP2zErfG_U1Go6RN_BEzlNsg/s1600/ds+1487+ex+Wiki.jpg" /></a></div>
After some lengthy puzzling and research it all seemed to be heading towards a dead-end, when it was suddenly occurred to wonder if, by any chance, rather than a police uniform, he was wearing a diplomatic uniform. The most obvious place to look for this seemed to be Great Britain, so the next step was to see who was the Austrian Ambassador in London in 1837.<br />
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That led to a pure "Eureka!!" call, as a picture of the Ambassador was revealed as the very same man. Prince Pál Antal Esterházy de Galántha (German: Paul Anton Esterházy von Galantha; 11 March 1786 – 21 May 1866) was a Hungarian prince, a member of the famous Esterházy family. He was the son of Prince Nikolaus II and succeeded his father on the latter's death in 1833.<br />
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Wikipedia records that While most of Paul's ancestors had served the Empire as military officers, Paul instead pursued a career in diplomacy, and later politics.
After the Congress of Vienna (1815) he was appointed as ambassador to the United Kingdom. In 1842 he returned to Hungary and became a member of the Conservative Party, which supported the Habsburg supremacy and did not favour the reform experiments. On 7 April 1848 he was appointed as Minister besides the King in the first cabinet of Hungary which was controlled by Count Lajos Batthyány. His role was as the mediatory between Vienna and the Hungarian government. Seeing that his pacifying intentions ended in failure, he resigned from his position in September. Later Esterházy took connections with the immigrated politicians.
He was Minister besides the King during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. At the time of the Napoleonic Wars he worked for the Austrian Empire as a diplomat. He tried to form diplomatic associations for Vienna, (for example with the Kingdom of Saxony), but he did not achieve any results. Despite this failure Esterházy remained a famous and acknowledged politician.<br />
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In 1848 the American author John Stevens Cabot Abbott wrote the following of Prince Esterházy in 1830:
<i>[In Hungary,] the feudal system still exists in all its ancient barbaric splendor. Prince Esterhazy, a Hungarian baron, is probably the richest man, who is not seated on a throne, in the world. He lives in the highest style of earthly grandeur. One of his four magnificent palaces contains three hundred and sixty rooms for guests, and a theater. His estates embrace one hundred and thirty villages, forty towns, and thirty-four castles. By the old feudal law, still undisturbed, he possesses unlimited power over his vassals, and can imprison, scourge, and slay at pleasure ... He has quite a little band of troops in his pay, and moves with military pomp and gorgeous retinue from palace to palace.</i><br />
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The Prince's wealth came partly from the great number of peasants who owed him a portion of the fruits of the labors. He also had his own enterprises, directed by his staff, notably sheep raising. Of his enormous flock, Abbott relates:
<i>Not long ago he visited England, and was a guest of the Lord of Holkham, one of the most wealthy proprietors of that island. While looking upon a very beautiful flock of two thousand sheep, the Lord of Holkham inquired if Esterhazy could show as fine a flock upon his estates. The wealthy baron smilingly replied, " My shepherds are more numerous than your sheep." This was literally true, for Esterhazy has two thousand five hundred shepherds.</i><br />
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Despite his great wealth, Paul managed to spend beyond his means, getting into financial trouble just as his father had. According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, "the last years of his life were spent in comparative poverty and isolation, as even the Esterházy-Forchtenstein estates were unequal to the burden of supporting his fabulous extravagance and had to be placed in the hands of curators." His successor Nikolaus III got out of debt in part by selling the famous family art collection.<br />
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Having identified the man as Paul, the identity of the lady was easy to determine. She was equally important in her own right as Princess Maria Theresia of Thurn and Taxis. Her full German name being: Maria Theresia, Prinzessin von Thurn und Taxis (born 6 July 1794 in Regensburg, Free Imperial City of Regensburg, Holy Roman Empire;[1][2] died 18 August 1874 in Hütteldorf, Penzing, Vienna, Austria–Hungary. She was a member of the House of Thurn and Taxis and a Princess of Thurn and Taxis by birth and a member of the House of Esterházy and Princess Esterházy of Galántha from 25 November 1833 to 21 May 1866 through her marriage to Paul III Anthony, 8th Prince Esterházy of Galántha.<br />
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That still left the background scene, and a further realisation that the city scape was in fact London, with Nelson's Column on the extreme right-hand side. Nelson's Column is a monument in Trafalgar Square in central London built to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The monument was constructed between 1840 and 1843 to a design by William Railton at a cost of £47,000. It is a column of the Corinthian[1] order built from Dartmoor granite. The Craigleith sandstone statue of Nelson is by E. H. Baily and the four bronze lions on the base, added in 1867, were designed by Sir Edwin Landseer.<br />
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The miniature is dated 1837, which was before the column was erected, giving rise to a partially unresolved puzzle, to which the solution can perhaps be surmised. Public funds were raised to erect the column, but it had been talked about for several years beforehand. Thus, it seems likely Paul was in Vienna during 1837 and asked the artist, Josef Fischer, to include an artist's impression of how the column might look on completion.
A careful look shows there is no statue of Nelson on top of the column. Experts in London likely have other early images of the column, but the image is therefore perhaps one of the early depictions, if not the earliest painting of Nelson's Column. Altogether a fascinating discovery to make and a very interesting insight into 19C history. 1487a and 1487b
Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-18395155601513496472014-08-04T19:05:00.001-07:002014-08-04T19:11:03.361-07:00Unknown - Emperor Franz-Josef of Austria<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAKPgmoF06wXFy0cQOjq7CjHwQ3v4FTLoCiX7EqUYHRTBBdscOj-76XQoJemaiHkcV_OKA86S2xTseMRtwLZc_iRs1ynsRWSUBbsUcqInBRVJnSiPIb1Rp0uSjh87NFt2aNqQzA/s1600/ds+1479+Franz-Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAKPgmoF06wXFy0cQOjq7CjHwQ3v4FTLoCiX7EqUYHRTBBdscOj-76XQoJemaiHkcV_OKA86S2xTseMRtwLZc_iRs1ynsRWSUBbsUcqInBRVJnSiPIb1Rp0uSjh87NFt2aNqQzA/s1600/ds+1479+Franz-Joseph.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a>The artist for this miniature portrait painted on porcelain is unknown, but the sitter is Emperor Franz-Josef of Austria. It to be appears based upon one of the three large oil portrait images as below which were all painted circa 1848, but by different artists.<br />
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They are all slightly different in his decorations and his pose, with the third of the three image best fitting the miniature portrait. The miniature has a tiny, but illegible, monogram at the upper left, which is probably that of the artist, the portrait and frame being far better quality than the normal run of what are often described as decorative miniatures. <br />
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Franz-Joseph (18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary from 1848 until his death in 1916. From 1 May 1850 until 24 August 1866 he was President of the German Confederation.<br />
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In December 1848, his predecessor Emperor Ferdinand of Austria had abdicated the throne as part of Ministerpräsident Felix zu Schwarzenberg's plan to end the Revolutions of 1848 in Austria, which allowed Franz Joseph, as Ferdinand's nephew, to ascend to the throne. 1479<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1LPza07xuoL1bt7YSb9vauRsOzxfSBEl5uCXfqmB1-rtUkKzl3g74dpWO6hVNjdrZfYq5A8S2s2h9J2nI_jGE1u9WZXOY56n4LlvZkUGH_2TVXIZxuMrHjI7d5aMiQvo9AUzjw/s1600/fj1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1LPza07xuoL1bt7YSb9vauRsOzxfSBEl5uCXfqmB1-rtUkKzl3g74dpWO6hVNjdrZfYq5A8S2s2h9J2nI_jGE1u9WZXOY56n4LlvZkUGH_2TVXIZxuMrHjI7d5aMiQvo9AUzjw/s1600/fj1.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3tD_FX2iFraBVAI-XN77BFRcORafcJcFN5Z3J89aEnrFeMYnoVheExXFBkYyQawhRUgYdGKPvAKaYtq0NZbZk6gsMXGvel0UvIT5U-cKLkk4X9AkNPlv2RATqsODlnnNdzJOpw/s1600/fj2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3tD_FX2iFraBVAI-XN77BFRcORafcJcFN5Z3J89aEnrFeMYnoVheExXFBkYyQawhRUgYdGKPvAKaYtq0NZbZk6gsMXGvel0UvIT5U-cKLkk4X9AkNPlv2RATqsODlnnNdzJOpw/s1600/fj2.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKFHFtr7RnXhaPjNDe6MuFf7rELES2_ErAkqtkQteOpF7ZJgxvOl_Ipjak2kbPRHe1z4Of2PiFl8N6b-onk0SYSJwjmxgeTEc3EqN9IVGU-ToAn1CKlkhYYd_AagTk2j88CKqzg/s1600/fj3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKFHFtr7RnXhaPjNDe6MuFf7rELES2_ErAkqtkQteOpF7ZJgxvOl_Ipjak2kbPRHe1z4Of2PiFl8N6b-onk0SYSJwjmxgeTEc3EqN9IVGU-ToAn1CKlkhYYd_AagTk2j88CKqzg/s1600/fj3.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfF2mfvhfpqm2sTZEOdhyphenhyphenwcWjQNM0N3Pq2PMowq-Hp5s1mMlsOn7NPRoRv4yMzuBj1t95H1raWg4tHT51fsEOpVJbijvCHFXc5GfUaMqL6IHyozSTbXZvrymNBPwcSA2jZO2R5w/s1600-h/ds+1370headclose.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfF2mfvhfpqm2sTZEOdhyphenhyphenwcWjQNM0N3Pq2PMowq-Hp5s1mMlsOn7NPRoRv4yMzuBj1t95H1raWg4tHT51fsEOpVJbijvCHFXc5GfUaMqL6IHyozSTbXZvrymNBPwcSA2jZO2R5w/s320/ds+1370headclose.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955027315710466" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 239px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRLF0H2PwIKwezS5UoPHBY3EAvcPiJOcrIVr5zR6GLgLxjVwHTC1_1io1i2rUQkl6jUfig9SJgdBRaLVzYwI9cVLSU5OtQ0uPJ95Jmnxg6k_DClS2h7NbTI5wrdXJU7RU00SNcA/s1600-h/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRLF0H2PwIKwezS5UoPHBY3EAvcPiJOcrIVr5zR6GLgLxjVwHTC1_1io1i2rUQkl6jUfig9SJgdBRaLVzYwI9cVLSU5OtQ0uPJ95Jmnxg6k_DClS2h7NbTI5wrdXJU7RU00SNcA/s320/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955024499201794" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 226px;" /></a><br />
Elsewhere in this Artists and Ancestors collection, there is this unfortunately "rubbed" miniature portrait of Ferdinand, which needs restoration by a more competent artist than me! See <a class="GCUXF0KCPB" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=26209668#editor/target=post;postID=7718291638156676007;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=17;src=postname">Theer, Robert - portrait of Ferdinand I of Austria</a>
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20281%20bencini.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20281%20bencini.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
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There is also a miniature portrait of an earlier Emperor. It is attributed to Antonio Bencini and is of Joseph II (1741-1790) Emperor of Austria.<br />
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He was the son of Maria Theresa and a brother of Marie Antoinette. See
<a class="GCUXF0KCPB" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=26209668#editor/target=post;postID=114576712592647384;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=54;src=postname">Bencini, Antionio - portrait of Joseph II</a>Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-49298616009975342882011-12-31T12:55:00.000-08:002016-02-22T18:32:02.559-08:00Melocchi, E - Classical copies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEi3589rPwVw4Bi0HZsPNVI87T8hSr0TIvdWA887slwc7axSWoUhAIin5qwQ7Zl3CIDdPD774JwBxErr9-OksDwruSL1WFixIez996RQO94eYBeqA9cX-GUohU4dRyDNzy3bByw/s1600/aml.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692417483517674114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEi3589rPwVw4Bi0HZsPNVI87T8hSr0TIvdWA887slwc7axSWoUhAIin5qwQ7Zl3CIDdPD774JwBxErr9-OksDwruSL1WFixIez996RQO94eYBeqA9cX-GUohU4dRyDNzy3bByw/s320/aml.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 214px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm_bR7B9Vux3ynrXUEcpUtsSjAZUEcy9u5oAIJ2B-4SCZYI1nDVzyVXLQyQm7s9HqYj7Dw0vmHYRUwo5vnN7WCUCzyMLVzo7dMWhoGpMQIldE7FraOgDOdUOaSqlOM_ZqGhE0bw/s1600/ds+1339+Mona+lisa.jpg_0002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692400053872557954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm_bR7B9Vux3ynrXUEcpUtsSjAZUEcy9u5oAIJ2B-4SCZYI1nDVzyVXLQyQm7s9HqYj7Dw0vmHYRUwo5vnN7WCUCzyMLVzo7dMWhoGpMQIldE7FraOgDOdUOaSqlOM_ZqGhE0bw/s320/ds+1339+Mona+lisa.jpg_0002.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 247px;" /></a>Here is the Mona Lisa and a miniature copy copy of it painted by Melocchi. There are obvious differences, but the skill of the miniaturist in capturing the fine detail has to be admired.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN7MaCLTQkOMVOuLR90Dcydy1aF5Pwgr-MgvkaZAoJJWpsDaJfQCshXlqpdWubFZGYzXfLTxfYDuCETgJJlm2RAcPETDn1vHazFxcbgOu12nOGaWwiM8rffBHkO96EM-7axfM9A/s1600/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692403559325466450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN7MaCLTQkOMVOuLR90Dcydy1aF5Pwgr-MgvkaZAoJJWpsDaJfQCshXlqpdWubFZGYzXfLTxfYDuCETgJJlm2RAcPETDn1vHazFxcbgOu12nOGaWwiM8rffBHkO96EM-7axfM9A/s320/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 244px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 185px;" /></a>Decorative copies are frowned upon by most collectors of miniature portraits, but there is no clear distinction between what should be described as a "decorative copy" and as a "genuine miniature".<br />
<br />
The current example demonstrates how it is possible to have a painted miniature version of perhaps the most famous painting in the world and admire the skill of both artists in a manner which is not possible with a print of the original.<br />
<br />
Most decorative miniatures were churned out in the late 19C and early 20C as multiple copies painted with minimal skill in factory type workshops, often with a few painted highlights over a printed outline. These normally have fake or fictitious signatures. They often have frames made out of old piano keys and pages from old books on the reverse to give a false impression of their ages. Hence they were generally intended to deceive, and many are now offered for sale as original 18C portraits, by sellers who have only limited knowledge. Sometimes this is in good faith by people who have inherited them from Grandma or Great-Grandma, and now assume they are real 18C miniatures, whereas the Grandma who originally purchased the portrait nearly 100 years ago, knew well it was only a copy. Fortunately, it only requires a little study to distinguish them as decorative copies.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxIsPLNpGL-JysPB6wkThaP8zj50eLneG4KUh4F5_OM1janG2LE74Plk8FsjRtOhs5-L7vyb-WxMi4LtkYtNy_jc7QC8TVV1OEvR2VHHiS7hvwGPptBqzBzRCjD3N6fYQuIP9bQ/s1600/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692403564432917890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxIsPLNpGL-JysPB6wkThaP8zj50eLneG4KUh4F5_OM1janG2LE74Plk8FsjRtOhs5-L7vyb-WxMi4LtkYtNy_jc7QC8TVV1OEvR2VHHiS7hvwGPptBqzBzRCjD3N6fYQuIP9bQ/s320/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0003.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 290px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 235px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObUt39xDU3HN9e88Iq71g77yDFjvFwKAKrkG3GxRdI2U6AewKRFnlyV-JijOSeT-Irae4e1mRTN9W2xrlnmMQCM4SGxhj6XY8EVTiJXxvFvB8QYmqcXY25xIv2RtS-ZaZP8j3qw/s1600/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692403557478003266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObUt39xDU3HN9e88Iq71g77yDFjvFwKAKrkG3GxRdI2U6AewKRFnlyV-JijOSeT-Irae4e1mRTN9W2xrlnmMQCM4SGxhj6XY8EVTiJXxvFvB8QYmqcXY25xIv2RtS-ZaZP8j3qw/s320/ds+1458+melocchi.jpg_0001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 293px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 239px;" /></a>However, some were painted with more care by artists who took more care and were proud enough of their work to include a proper signature.<br />
<br />
The miniature portraits appearing here demonstrate this point. They appear to date from 1920-1930 and to have been sold to tourists between World War I and World War II. There are likely to be multiple examples, but the skill of the artist is a cut above that of most decorative copies.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXBMZ7mIxfQAjrSnoCNNszFLboBR01kB7M1VR-uuayXGSKjA9K5CbW0UY6KfSQf8gGum_JfSBT1OrxKfxS3J1s13L70deyqEp9mF2PC1tT_hYhV2qr2GW-Kt4Lgw1n9IWPkcUpw/s1600/ds+1459+melocchi.jpg_0002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692403574121730978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXBMZ7mIxfQAjrSnoCNNszFLboBR01kB7M1VR-uuayXGSKjA9K5CbW0UY6KfSQf8gGum_JfSBT1OrxKfxS3J1s13L70deyqEp9mF2PC1tT_hYhV2qr2GW-Kt4Lgw1n9IWPkcUpw/s320/ds+1459+melocchi.jpg_0002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 299px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 249px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4Q0Y8gIasw2-kd4LdDAue1Rc3EJhjEu2ZUoPAt0soaOGstMQfCnX3nCUYxUtT7whSR9FzEvWXjEnc2sic2LQHK5c0eJckPJo54z_Cqvn7jWi-98lG60K3vNecCKlVD4QX_7kQQ/s1600/ds+1459+melocchi.jpg_0001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692403569183798818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4Q0Y8gIasw2-kd4LdDAue1Rc3EJhjEu2ZUoPAt0soaOGstMQfCnX3nCUYxUtT7whSR9FzEvWXjEnc2sic2LQHK5c0eJckPJo54z_Cqvn7jWi-98lG60K3vNecCKlVD4QX_7kQQ/s320/ds+1459+melocchi.jpg_0001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 299px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 232px;" /></a>They are all clearly copies of classical portraits, but they are also clearly signed by the miniature artist, E Melocchi, Via Luca Landucci 45 Firenze (Florence, Italy). With one giving his/her name as Pittrice (Painter) E Melocchi.<br />
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The miniature of La Gioconda (more often named a portrait of the Mona Lisa) is noted as a copy of the portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, and the two other portraits are identified as copies of self-portraits of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo from the originals in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjj8DvcFAt9VUxIjPua-g2tijcnGnYLTnQhO7SaQ9HgIhk8oQpj1npzcsiIfOU3hhxfJXyJzeOHQ6EjJk9peNDewqKJ-mrowofReEsBbVnKDHkEiOr9Y1K6W08wjhIoFqRJU6P3A/s1600/abm1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692411357175025970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjj8DvcFAt9VUxIjPua-g2tijcnGnYLTnQhO7SaQ9HgIhk8oQpj1npzcsiIfOU3hhxfJXyJzeOHQ6EjJk9peNDewqKJ-mrowofReEsBbVnKDHkEiOr9Y1K6W08wjhIoFqRJU6P3A/s320/abm1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 230px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMyl6O4uGA-G7QOJfo_8CEYbgabJCFYAW9y0WqLPWLbbUV8g-iF9qeBw3l1NehQ787t8u4HyDsaR7YoyP3Jy9YsXVQJDKIZkkP49PbNIOKSPuakoUc44lHCayOg4VsTn-ON7Olw/s1600/abm2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692411355079846242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMyl6O4uGA-G7QOJfo_8CEYbgabJCFYAW9y0WqLPWLbbUV8g-iF9qeBw3l1NehQ787t8u4HyDsaR7YoyP3Jy9YsXVQJDKIZkkP49PbNIOKSPuakoUc44lHCayOg4VsTn-ON7Olw/s320/abm2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 270px;" /></a>I have seen other examples by this artist, such as this copy of Botticelli recently sold on Ebay. I have also seen a duplicate of the Michelangelo portrait.<br />
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A visitor recently asked me about another two similar classical miniatures of 18C ladies of the French Court, also by Melocchi.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFRznJyDRpezIbYb05QBEn9yZDeZ1iCZmGK4UMQYfusJx-mGcRQqzz1HM2Wl1kWspAxxdnjRtnKrJ3TnO4lqsr3FQugBKqufVK8mydjh3qUpAO8z0PgRcL1yZ23Ad4SzfxGxU4g/s1600/aavia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692424028422398610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFRznJyDRpezIbYb05QBEn9yZDeZ1iCZmGK4UMQYfusJx-mGcRQqzz1HM2Wl1kWspAxxdnjRtnKrJ3TnO4lqsr3FQugBKqufVK8mydjh3qUpAO8z0PgRcL1yZ23Ad4SzfxGxU4g/s320/aavia.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 106px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 159px;" /></a>The building housing Via Luca Landucci 45 is still in Florence, as appearing here, but Melocchi seems to be long gone.<br />
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The values of such decorative miniatures can vary a great deal. I purchased La Gioconda on eBay for $280 in 2008 and the Botticelli sold on eBay in December 2011 for $350. However, the self-portraits of da Vinci and Michelangelo were purchased as a pair on eBay in December 2011 for only £70 including shipping.<br />
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Thus it is still possible to pick up bargains and being able to match La Gioconda with a portrait of da Vinci as the artist, with both painted by Melocchi enhances them even more. 1338, 1458, 1459.<br />
<br />
Later in 2016, A kind visitor has sent me some very interesting information about E. Melocchi.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe6QA-pDQaQUmlycrdjN5qRmaVyK2eSBxZXWqt0dvCqby6hvhoP9V2rlhU5vrr_VJcy8hixbO8TO75197lYO8gwvdujDhgenIvxgjEvAtQrLWyC-BYdRb_JUQ70DkTPnzjuSQvg/s1600/melocchi1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe6QA-pDQaQUmlycrdjN5qRmaVyK2eSBxZXWqt0dvCqby6hvhoP9V2rlhU5vrr_VJcy8hixbO8TO75197lYO8gwvdujDhgenIvxgjEvAtQrLWyC-BYdRb_JUQ70DkTPnzjuSQvg/s400/melocchi1.jpg" width="130" /></a><i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTfwZDXGjMJ2voxhyphenhyphenmsXegzVSXKTx2A58WvhtYJv3w8rNMf2GEWZy0SwAn_jxTyPkI1GTz5lHX9J2rlMZbVHf2u8G5VTvFK4x4GGtrrojmWu9uhG7dCCpFz_owFj20zfJkrX_Cw/s1600/Melocchi2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTfwZDXGjMJ2voxhyphenhyphenmsXegzVSXKTx2A58WvhtYJv3w8rNMf2GEWZy0SwAn_jxTyPkI1GTz5lHX9J2rlMZbVHf2u8G5VTvFK4x4GGtrrojmWu9uhG7dCCpFz_owFj20zfJkrX_Cw/s400/Melocchi2.jpg" width="130" /></a></i></i><br />
<i>Hi Don</i><br />
<div>
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe6QA-pDQaQUmlycrdjN5qRmaVyK2eSBxZXWqt0dvCqby6hvhoP9V2rlhU5vrr_VJcy8hixbO8TO75197lYO8gwvdujDhgenIvxgjEvAtQrLWyC-BYdRb_JUQ70DkTPnzjuSQvg/s1600/melocchi1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I think E. Melocchi was female!</i></div>
<div>
<i>The
reason I say that is that my father was an army chaplain in Florence at
the end of the war and my mum told me he bought 2 miniatures of Italian
court ladies from a lady in a church in Florence. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Apparently this lady
had very little money after the war and he felt sorry for her. He was so
impressed with the miniatures that he asked if she could paint one of
my mum, from a photo he had with him. She did that for him and also
painted one of him from a life sitting. She dated them 1944 and 1945 and
signed them on the front and on the back as E. Melocchi, with the
Firenze address just as you give it on the Internet site! </i></div>
<div>
<i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTfwZDXGjMJ2voxhyphenhyphenmsXegzVSXKTx2A58WvhtYJv3w8rNMf2GEWZy0SwAn_jxTyPkI1GTz5lHX9J2rlMZbVHf2u8G5VTvFK4x4GGtrrojmWu9uhG7dCCpFz_owFj20zfJkrX_Cw/s1600/Melocchi2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></i> </i><br />
<i>My
mum and dad are sadly passed away now but I even still possess the dress
my mum was wearing in the photo and therefore in the miniature!</i><br />
</div>
<div>
<i>If
you are interested, I could send you photos of the miniatures. My dad
died in 1954 when i was very young but my mum was always very clear that
E. Melocchi was a lady!</i><br />
</div>
<div>
<i>Yours Ailsa, Norfolk, UK </i></div>
<div>
</div>
Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-76319048346608776932011-11-21T12:26:00.000-08:002011-11-21T12:56:54.910-08:00Berteaux - Portrait of Eugene Beauharnais<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2EMQQHn57jieRkfVEXBgUlQTMwWRlCztKHbPg8ZlF2lSQewXCCpNSTyWUF68fcKXLPuuqD-lpdY27Nnbp2-LHfNCO2DcOrA_cklEgKiG2TU_yW75ENEt10VQ_aWi1p0KKwyStw/s1600/ds+1449+eugene+de+beauharnais.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2EMQQHn57jieRkfVEXBgUlQTMwWRlCztKHbPg8ZlF2lSQewXCCpNSTyWUF68fcKXLPuuqD-lpdY27Nnbp2-LHfNCO2DcOrA_cklEgKiG2TU_yW75ENEt10VQ_aWi1p0KKwyStw/s320/ds+1449+eugene+de+beauharnais.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677548227792788754" border="0" /></a>This miniature portrait is signed by an artist named Berteaux. This does not appear to be the name of an acknowledged miniature artist, so the portrait is more of a cross-over type between a "genuine" miniature and a "decorative" one. The quality puts it out of the normal range for a decorative miniature.<br /><br />The sitter is Eugène Rose de Beauharnais, Prince Français, Prince of Venice, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Italy, Hereditary Grand Duke of Frankfurt, 1st Duke of Leuchtenberg and 1st Prince of Eichstätt ad personam (3 September 1781 – 21 February 1824). He was the first child and only son of Alexandre, Vicomte de Beauharnais and Joséphine Tascher de la Pagerie, future wife of French Emperor Napoléon I. His natural father was executed during the revolutionary Reign of Terror. For a miniature portrait of his father, which is in this collection, see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://european-miniatures2.blogspot.com/2006/04/berny-charles-portrait-of-general.html">View</a><br /><br />Eugene was born in Paris, France and became the stepson and adopted child (but not the heir to the imperial throne) of Napoleon. He commanded the Army of Italy and was viceroy of Italy under his stepfather. Historians have looked upon him as one of the ablest of Napoleon's relatives.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvXSZ46QuxksgnnHX2rW0Dl1rRVrzPHUQPp54AuimPJUX8F0n6X42POnwfE6axA3Au5N-IVmOfoA3JkyrBuGTLIeJ3ofZuriqhiuwYvKqyxMNqSeQm3Nok9vOzHTddOUUBfolEw/s1600/abb.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvXSZ46QuxksgnnHX2rW0Dl1rRVrzPHUQPp54AuimPJUX8F0n6X42POnwfE6axA3Au5N-IVmOfoA3JkyrBuGTLIeJ3ofZuriqhiuwYvKqyxMNqSeQm3Nok9vOzHTddOUUBfolEw/s320/abb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677553022958963138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvtB-xoiBVBYxPxlMdrUO0vegVARcUXTNbzzskqE6H_ibpd_CrPr9Biob7XyUpkueO36qPon7MJ9zPj8scGQKklusRf1GIwSQIHqMA3vfu_OiC5BTPcJAY4GRInE95B9TrGXVGQ/s1600/abehjjdg.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvtB-xoiBVBYxPxlMdrUO0vegVARcUXTNbzzskqE6H_ibpd_CrPr9Biob7XyUpkueO36qPon7MJ9zPj8scGQKklusRf1GIwSQIHqMA3vfu_OiC5BTPcJAY4GRInE95B9TrGXVGQ/s320/abehjjdg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677551884205560978" border="0" /></a>Although there are obvious differences, it appears the miniature was inspired by the same original as was a portrait of Eugene in uniform by the famous artist Jachues-Louis David. Another version, in similar pose but wearing a black cloak dates from 1837. So far I have not located an original version depicting the same green uniform as appears above. However, it is probable that the "missing" original wearing a green uniform pre-dates the black uniform in the David portrait, as Eugene appears to be of higher rank and is wearing more decorations in the David portrait.<br /><br />According to Wikipedia, Eugène's first campaign was in the Vendée, where he fought at Quiberon. However, within a year his mother Joséphine had arranged his return to Paris. In the Italian campaigns of 1796–1797, Eugène served as aide-de-camp to his stepfather, whom he also accompanied to Egypt. In Egypt, Eugène was wounded during the Siege of Acre (1799). He returned to France in the autumn of 1799 and helped bring about the reconciliation which then took place between Bonaparte and his mother, torn apart by each other's affairs. When Napoleon became First Consul, Eugène became a captain in the Chasseurs à Cheval of the Consular Guard and with his squadron he took part in the Battle of Marengo.<br /><br />During the War of the Fifth Coalition, Eugène was put in command of the Army of Italy, with General Étienne-Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre MacDonald as his military advisor. In April 1809 he fought and lost the Battle of Sacile against the Austrian army of the Archduke John, but Eugène's troops decisively won the rematch at the Battle of Raab that June. After the Battle of Aspern-Essling, Napoleon recalled the Army of Italy and after joining the main army, on the island of Lobau in the Danube, Eugène took part in the Battle of Wagram.<br /><br />During the Russian campaign, Eugène again commanded the Army of Italy (IV Corps) with which he fought in the Battle of Borodino and the Battle of Maloyaroslavets. After Napoleon and then Joachim Murat had left the retreating army, Eugène took command of the remnants and led it back to Germany in 1813.<br /><br />During the campaign of 1813, Eugène fought in the Battle of Lützen. Napoleon then sent him back to Italy, where he organised the defence against the Austrians, holding out on the Mincio until the abdication in 1814. After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, Eugène retired to Munich and at the behest of his father-in-law Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, did not get involved with Napoleon and France again. 1449Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-27610067191803328012011-11-21T11:11:00.000-08:002011-12-12T14:57:19.761-08:00Unknown - Empress Eugenie of France<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcejN1YBvbtnQ7ZSmumqLgt25rVVCMtZ2gF8OH2YYf2F8wK20IvkleGgZksckXiHJHGrTydB4DF-wi3Oe7fQofDNxGdvVnWfcl_RbROV7EuSzs28KFqLYMmDTrxiTRyeGu8rAnQ/s1600/aaeugenie.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcejN1YBvbtnQ7ZSmumqLgt25rVVCMtZ2gF8OH2YYf2F8wK20IvkleGgZksckXiHJHGrTydB4DF-wi3Oe7fQofDNxGdvVnWfcl_RbROV7EuSzs28KFqLYMmDTrxiTRyeGu8rAnQ/s320/aaeugenie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685376894153618642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi5F0mwl20rtpr9XQ6ivZheGWHMQ3AklTk97GtaG1IuNHeunwY-Yn-V2aLtvzPoKuiQR0pKiHvQPB7ek5VVJ8St4dEF1SWCWTiWrlj3CM7IlOebAdi1xBEFOTB0V6H14-bnhT3w/s1600/ds+1447+Empress+Sissi.tif.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi5F0mwl20rtpr9XQ6ivZheGWHMQ3AklTk97GtaG1IuNHeunwY-Yn-V2aLtvzPoKuiQR0pKiHvQPB7ek5VVJ8St4dEF1SWCWTiWrlj3CM7IlOebAdi1xBEFOTB0V6H14-bnhT3w/s320/ds+1447+Empress+Sissi.tif.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677529737620635106" border="0" /></a>A kind visitor has assisted me to identify this miniature portrait, by an unknown artist, as representing Empress Eugenie of France (5 May 1826 – 11 July 1920). As can be seen, it is a miniature copy of a famous portrait by Winterhalter. The background has unfortunately been over-painted, so restoration will be needed at some point.<br /><br />Her full name was Doña María Eugenia Ignacia Augustina de Palafox-Portocarrero de Guzmán y Kirkpatrick, 16th Countess of Teba and 15th Marquise of Ardales. She was known as Eugénie de Montijo and was the last Empress consort of the French from 1853 to 1871 as the wife of Napoleon III.<br /><br />Eugénie de Montijo, as she became known in France, was educated in Paris, at the fashionable Convent of the Sacré Cœur. When Prince Louis Napoléon became president of the Second Republic, she appeared with her mother at several balls given by the "prince-president" at the Elysée Palace; it was there that she met the future emperor. In a speech from the throne on 22 January, Napoleon III formally announced his engagement, saying, "I have preferred a woman whom I love and respect to a woman unknown to me, with whom an alliance would have had advantages mixed with sacrifices".<br /><br />The match was looked upon dubiously in the United Kingdom. The Times editorialized: "We learn with some amusement that this romantic event in the annals of the French Empire has called forth the strongest opposition, and provoked the utmost irritation. The Imperial family, the Council of Ministers, and even the lower coteries of the palace or its purlieus, all affect to regard this marriage as an amazing humiliation..."<br /><br />Napoleon III married countess Eugenie in 1853, and it was in anticipation of this marriage that he ordered the court jewellers Gabriel Lemonnier and Francois Kramer to create an entirely new parure using the pearls previously used by Marie Louise and Marie Therese. The Empress Eugenie Pearl and Diamond Tiara, the subject of this miniature, was an important component of this pearl parure. Other components include a six-stranded pearl necklace, pearl bracelets and a diamond stomacher incorporating the "Perle Napoleon." When Eugenie had access to the crown jewels of France, she set about transforming most of the old pieces, into new settings, to suit her own taste and the fashion trends of the period. Apart from re-setting old pieces, she also added several new pieces to the crown jewels of France, and commissioned a Greek diadem incorporating the famous Regent diamond, once mounted on the hilt of Napoleon's sword. In 1855, when Eugenie accompanied Napoleon III on a state visit to Britain, she wore the Pearl and Diamond Tiara, on two consecutive nights for dinner at Windsor Castle, held on April 17 and 18, 1855.<br /><br />On 16 March 1856, the empress gave birth to an only son, Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte, styled Prince Impérial. Her husband often consulted her on important questions, and she acted as Regent during his absences in 1859, 1865 and 1870. A Catholic and a conservative, her influence countered any liberal tendencies in the emperor's policies. She was a staunch defender of papal temporal powers in Italy and of ultramontanism. She was blamed for the fiasco of the French intervention in Mexico and the eventual death of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico.<br /><br />When the Second French Empire was overthrown after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), the empress and her husband took refuge in England, and settled at Chislehurst, Kent. After his death in 1873, and that of her son in 1879, she moved in 1885 ,alternating between Farnborough, Hampshire and her villa "Cyrnos" (ancient Greek name of Corsica), which was built at Cape Martin, between Menton and Nice, where she lived in retirement, abstaining from politics. Her house in Farnborough is now an independent Roman Catholic girls' school, Farnborough Hill.<br /><br />After the deaths of her husband and son her health started to deteriorate. Her physician recommended she visit Bournemouth which was, in Victorian times, famed as a health spa resort. During her visit in 1896, a groundskeeper lit hundreds of little tea candles in the municipal Bournemouth Gardens to light her way to the sea at night. This event is still commemorated in the same gardens every September in an elaborate public display, set to music, of both static and floating lighted candles.<br /><br />The former empress died in July 1920, aged 94, during a visit to her relatives, the Dukes of Alba in Madrid, in her native Spain, and she is interred in the Imperial Crypt at St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough, with her husband and her son, who had died in 1879 fighting in the Zulu War in South Africa. 1447Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-51196521064010722432011-07-09T14:28:00.000-07:002011-07-09T17:16:12.757-07:00Unknown - Prince Louis and Princess Alice of Hesse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMhOuyy2pAiJ9gpxw4NZRXbPYHq7mIgV49k6VKRTccXeZySGMIlhl5eydeDGd6zeb6i-_cDkqpWjF-tjIs7eUukCNZFHzKN1zcu9QQUcYYOBCc2CuQKyQ7XCFUMBHt-oCo69VQg/s1600/ds+1425+Hesse+portraits.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMhOuyy2pAiJ9gpxw4NZRXbPYHq7mIgV49k6VKRTccXeZySGMIlhl5eydeDGd6zeb6i-_cDkqpWjF-tjIs7eUukCNZFHzKN1zcu9QQUcYYOBCc2CuQKyQ7XCFUMBHt-oCo69VQg/s320/ds+1425+Hesse+portraits.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627467865773962322" border="0" /></a>This pair of miniature portraits are tightly riveted in small gold cases, so it is not practical to open them. Hence it is not possible to tell whether they are painted on ivory, or on card over-painted on a photographic base. They are very small at 26mm x 23mm.<br /><br />Nevertheless, they are an interesting pair, being of Prince Louis of Hesse and his wife Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria of England, see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://british-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/unknown-portrait-of-queen-victoria.html">View</a><br /><br />The case of Prince Louis is inscribed "Louis of Hesse / 1st July 1862 / From Alice and Louis / Xmas 1862" with that of Princess Alice inscribed "Alice / 1st July 1862 / From Alice and Louis / Xmas 1862".<br /><br />Thus they appear to have been intimate Christmas gifts, perhaps as a thank-you for wedding presents from July 1862. Although one might expect there to be other similar examples in existence, so far none seem to be known.<br /><br />A kind expert has advised;<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">You are right to draw a comparison with the miniature by Charles<br />Lepec of Prince Louis in the Royal Collection, based, probably on a<br />photograph by F. Backhofen of Darmstadt, although it differs from yours<br />in being in enamel on gold. Yours look to me to be in watercolour on<br />card. I have searched through the transcriptions of the archival material<br />which I have from 1862 which I have but unfortunately can find no<br />reference which equates with the two miniatures in your possession.<br />Sadly, without opening the miniatures, it may not be possible to<br />identify the creator, particularly in this case where they are clearly<br />derived from photographs. Queen Victoria commissioned miniatures from<br />photographic colourists such as John Horrak/Horrach (fl. 1861-2) who is<br />the sort of artist who could have been responsible for your miniatures,<br />if indeed they were made in London. It is also possible that they were<br />made in Darmstadt.</span><br /><br />Princess Alice (25 April 1843 – 14 December 1878) was a member of the British royal family, the third child and second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. In 1861, Prince Albert became ill with typhoid fever, and Alice nursed him through his final illness before he died on 14 December. Following his death, Queen Victoria entered a period of intense mourning, and Alice spent the next six months acting as her unofficial secretary. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQgDJmeSn0HciwjDcyWKxjEEv3QOsjKvSusgX0SVSVe4qPoh_-Hg7SlHBe9phKIvrGV09GFTXJpxRi8wuLrlza1SuvxAGAUX5LBMaEJZULWU0t68La4wCcIw8t4s1wAaBfOsRHA/s1600/alicewedding.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQgDJmeSn0HciwjDcyWKxjEEv3QOsjKvSusgX0SVSVe4qPoh_-Hg7SlHBe9phKIvrGV09GFTXJpxRi8wuLrlza1SuvxAGAUX5LBMaEJZULWU0t68La4wCcIw8t4s1wAaBfOsRHA/s320/alicewedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627475175974635762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While the court was still at the height of mourning, on 1 July 1862, Alice married Prince Louis of Hesse, heir to the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The ceremony—conducted privately and with unrelieved gloom at Osborne House—was described by the Queen as "more of a funeral than a wedding". The life of the Princess in Darmstadt was unhappy as a result of impoverishment, family tragedy and worsening relations with her husband and mother.<br /><br />Alice was a prolific patron of women's causes, especially nursing, and was a follower of Florence Nightingale. When Hesse became involved in the Austro-Prussian War, and Darmstadt filled with the injured, the heavily pregnant Alice devoted much of her time to the management of field hospitals. One of her organisations, the Princess Alice Women's Guild, became a national one, and took over much of the day-to-day running of the military hospitals in Darmstadt. Furthermore, she befriended and promoted the theologian David Friedrich Strauss, who provided an intellectual basis for her faith instead of the traditional sentimentality of Victorian religion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUUkmIgsxcZHDJJCljdABSR37yLy7NK_TUOG3HyGk7oG8B-EruQ9hHwNLD85QfL8JAhAeatHp9yPVijamb5V7GrfYsX_54N8iIIMbkSj2mCFaBEikQeY_VC8Q4lIUqzx6EhGOrw/s1600/louis.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUUkmIgsxcZHDJJCljdABSR37yLy7NK_TUOG3HyGk7oG8B-EruQ9hHwNLD85QfL8JAhAeatHp9yPVijamb5V7GrfYsX_54N8iIIMbkSj2mCFaBEikQeY_VC8Q4lIUqzx6EhGOrw/s320/louis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627473301752943410" border="0" /></a>In 1877, Alice became Grand Duchess following the accession of her husband, and her duties put a further strain on her health. The following year, she travelled to England for the last time, holidaying in Eastbourne at the Queen's expense.<br /><br />In the later months of 1878, diphtheria infected the Hessian court, and Alice nursed her family for over a month before falling ill herself. She died on the 17th anniversary of her father's death, 14 December 1878, at the New Palace in Darmstadt.<br /><br />Princess Alice was mother of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (the wife of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia) and the maternal great-grandmother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort of Queen Elizabeth II.<br /><br />Louis IV (Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Karl) (12 September 1837 – 13 March 1892), was the fourth Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, reigning from 13 June 1877 until his death.<br /><br />Through his own and his children's marriages he was connected to the British Royal Family, to the Imperial House of Russia and other Royal Houses of Europe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEoGXoxPAnqXBM43uJna1ct6jC_VyC4Q0yk5fh5MO0e32pACV1K15HHrVE_zxSW-5I37SRPFR8qnmQ2jzrlVVZqQMRSHfu5XGZAyyJ7m7hi_2o4X-CxpfMC3jYX9_2P3d_hp3Ng/s1600-h/ds+1266+alexandra.jpg"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113867333941396818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEoGXoxPAnqXBM43uJna1ct6jC_VyC4Q0yk5fh5MO0e32pACV1K15HHrVE_zxSW-5I37SRPFR8qnmQ2jzrlVVZqQMRSHfu5XGZAyyJ7m7hi_2o4X-CxpfMC3jYX9_2P3d_hp3Ng/s320/ds+1266+alexandra.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87oKHEsFq7t3srWtHET3GHMeYpsN96UxiAAriEpQI_ILefhvIt9dXUGSMsJlpjWeJogvYstDoXGvlyPvv-9wmyuzMsSB6yAR3sTndjfTzy6VTZDSVC90GGLHqTpKa0KD_pMXbg/s1600/ds+1417+Russian+princesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87oKHEsFq7t3srWtHET3GHMeYpsN96UxiAAriEpQI_ILefhvIt9dXUGSMsJlpjWeJogvYstDoXGvlyPvv-9wmyuzMsSB6yAR3sTndjfTzy6VTZDSVC90GGLHqTpKa0KD_pMXbg/s320/ds+1417+Russian+princesses.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="319" /></a>There is a modern portrait of Empress Alexandra (1872-1918) in this collection. She was murdered in 1918.<br /><br />Also in this collection is a contemporary miniature portrait, by Adolf Helzel, of two of the grandchildren of Louis and Alice, the Grand Duchesses Olga (1895-1918) and Tatiana (1897-1918) who were also murdered in 1918.<br /><br />For more about these see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://european-miniatures2.blogspot.com/2011/04/helzel-adolf-grand-duchesses-olga-and.html">View</a> 1425Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-51527304578170782002011-07-06T16:23:00.000-07:002015-08-25T12:15:10.574-07:00Winberg, Ivan - portrait of Tsar Alexander II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVP-0_9e96Vy2e52i6s7nofrqeamQqkCKuggjcVBiVTwnWiSsb122ylTMGIoO2KQGOwunMRPlDhk0r6BTYt6YL3RLauCdg9uAT1X62QUsEIqyXYjbv-os9LRBAYLBx6uEwIxQoQ/s1600/united-states-lincoln-president-713.n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVP-0_9e96Vy2e52i6s7nofrqeamQqkCKuggjcVBiVTwnWiSsb122ylTMGIoO2KQGOwunMRPlDhk0r6BTYt6YL3RLauCdg9uAT1X62QUsEIqyXYjbv-os9LRBAYLBx6uEwIxQoQ/s320/united-states-lincoln-president-713.n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two assassinations - Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two great reformers were assassinated in the 19C. They are depicted here, Tsar Alexander II and President Abraham Lincoln, in a dual portrait prepared for an exhibition in Moscow in February 2011.<br />
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Also showing is an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CEEMRTOR_mcQ3JosIucKV4SVOhlWpLZ7p-1k-DoORShK8QKY3Sd9CzoHEpXhuvcvbX0JKztX4AyvE7QKTYNBKq9EEZHxVn0Uwj7DSIpDWWSZ81RsuB7AopxoQGqrdix6DKyy0A/s1600/ds+1424+Winberg+Nicholas+I+in+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CEEMRTOR_mcQ3JosIucKV4SVOhlWpLZ7p-1k-DoORShK8QKY3Sd9CzoHEpXhuvcvbX0JKztX4AyvE7QKTYNBKq9EEZHxVn0Uwj7DSIpDWWSZ81RsuB7AopxoQGqrdix6DKyy0A/s320/ds+1424+Winberg+Nicholas+I+in+frame.jpg" width="297" /></a> important miniature portrait recently acquired for this Artists and Ancestors collection. It is by Ivan Winberg, a Swedish miniaturist who worked in Russia c1825-1845. It is quite large at 116mm x 83mm, with other royal portraits by Winberg being of similar size.<br />
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When the miniature was purchased it was described as being of Tsar Nicholas I (1796-1855), but from a comparison with the images of Nicholas I and Alexander II here and below, the sitter appears in fact to be Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881). A kind researcher from the Hermitage Museum advises that the portrait seems to date from around 1840.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGTZ0Tt_Hd-yTmjkCUT-f33b7UCtluGs09pXjASqnU6yRr7AWFYA4oLHQ0tgQtJy46v8LDissZO4Q85W3YIBUcSd19F4FpmAL6oVetS82IQB7sqe1lHfqHAgXliwBcTO4LXhcUQ/s1600/ds+1424+winberg_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGTZ0Tt_Hd-yTmjkCUT-f33b7UCtluGs09pXjASqnU6yRr7AWFYA4oLHQ0tgQtJy46v8LDissZO4Q85W3YIBUcSd19F4FpmAL6oVetS82IQB7sqe1lHfqHAgXliwBcTO4LXhcUQ/s320/ds+1424+winberg_0001.jpg" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_RH-Yh_7tJbi_VyFmCalgjswxklq7rJdyt8BJ4XBd3bTW5z2jFrB3PE0XxdFOripn4sLR2XJSY44iRt23-m02ZH1IQlpdo7slQQnLL4kp6P6A1iWaSyfkBJ-KseQ-aspnfGlgg/s1600/ds+1424+winberg_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_RH-Yh_7tJbi_VyFmCalgjswxklq7rJdyt8BJ4XBd3bTW5z2jFrB3PE0XxdFOripn4sLR2XJSY44iRt23-m02ZH1IQlpdo7slQQnLL4kp6P6A1iWaSyfkBJ-KseQ-aspnfGlgg/s200/ds+1424+winberg_0002.jpg" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNa6EGerC71wuZue-ARfIAqqgWiMs2jDtcgzWF-8PyiEtVham-YcWnIVkTNpBO1BdDcMIoJixSrKed3kOV0CkJmQsw5WkreJewE0ar1y180UvlkjmRBNfGN-DkBhvtjL_n_X9bw/s1600/ds+1424+winberg_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNa6EGerC71wuZue-ARfIAqqgWiMs2jDtcgzWF-8PyiEtVham-YcWnIVkTNpBO1BdDcMIoJixSrKed3kOV0CkJmQsw5WkreJewE0ar1y180UvlkjmRBNfGN-DkBhvtjL_n_X9bw/s200/ds+1424+winberg_0003.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH759prYQxLGhOdG2pCHXTfKXEd6URM5N3N4B0l5ki8YXNxCSG9ebJYUBE1o7CHDlJ6OCujIMRD9tg3sPmeG8cMhi7dStcGWsbUDR_PLhwLFJtgqwthWxGEySZzxOJEUjuNJsVg/s1600/ds+1424+winberg_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOH759prYQxLGhOdG2pCHXTfKXEd6URM5N3N4B0l5ki8YXNxCSG9ebJYUBE1o7CHDlJ6OCujIMRD9tg3sPmeG8cMhi7dStcGWsbUDR_PLhwLFJtgqwthWxGEySZzxOJEUjuNJsVg/s200/ds+1424+winberg_0004.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoxvyDQl8wd4iZeiZF8TM-ENI8TizigonkcZpoyZOZ7t-h4h_StWxlASH_l5l22HRCijk8H1-zlJRJ4sSfSuakqv4xeAtHigBSA5NJ67IT6RrejkQMrf0mLd5jozkPe2CanVcjA/s1600/ChristiesNI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoxvyDQl8wd4iZeiZF8TM-ENI8TizigonkcZpoyZOZ7t-h4h_StWxlASH_l5l22HRCijk8H1-zlJRJ4sSfSuakqv4xeAtHigBSA5NJ67IT6RrejkQMrf0mLd5jozkPe2CanVcjA/s200/ChristiesNI.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christie's -Winberg, Nicholas I</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgU31OSCb3kMw_yGuQawGUpRDGNpzgVTdurLMNu8iYR_lVMSHIkGM3qPkDXOjmOW8KPzRDovqXhdzYD-UAnqU23jpSEZF7bJLRFLRPkfQnSptgsiqohgxV3_GXaUGa0X2_s_Y_w/s1600/WinbergNI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgU31OSCb3kMw_yGuQawGUpRDGNpzgVTdurLMNu8iYR_lVMSHIkGM3qPkDXOjmOW8KPzRDovqXhdzYD-UAnqU23jpSEZF7bJLRFLRPkfQnSptgsiqohgxV3_GXaUGa0X2_s_Y_w/s200/WinbergNI.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winberg, Nicholas I</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_xpeqKrzsi5NUaBFkKMdpW2tYLGc_aBnBgkJ3dbRjMQ9YjEvuWRYGwpCu3QNdcn6yG4OQ7OIwH6iKkd4fSWDzoK4G4MztiGEPhcze_hqtmuzxB6g8IQXklfQLs8vdMhyphenhyphenwnx2Qw/s1600/ChristiesAII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_xpeqKrzsi5NUaBFkKMdpW2tYLGc_aBnBgkJ3dbRjMQ9YjEvuWRYGwpCu3QNdcn6yG4OQ7OIwH6iKkd4fSWDzoK4G4MztiGEPhcze_hqtmuzxB6g8IQXklfQLs8vdMhyphenhyphenwnx2Qw/s200/ChristiesAII.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christie's - Winberg, Alexander II</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Til-62Ut0u1wzT1uD7sAeyqtYoRGYF9nZIR5Jk3096ukFw3KhsDiP7YCJvBL92SZdeg1cEy64W8r_u6EqXx1nstQIjRUkLF6eNrXTxlhpHnvqyisLzDfsjTbBaGRE0YHjkvCjg/s1600/TheerAII1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Til-62Ut0u1wzT1uD7sAeyqtYoRGYF9nZIR5Jk3096ukFw3KhsDiP7YCJvBL92SZdeg1cEy64W8r_u6EqXx1nstQIjRUkLF6eNrXTxlhpHnvqyisLzDfsjTbBaGRE0YHjkvCjg/s200/TheerAII1839.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theer - Alexander II 1839</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvEGw7AustMKPG1plTOFVlzZtXhBy3pNkkBT9dpjILI1ij58_6_QDE_dI37q7w1DkEJdrTV8UDHZj45C5xfyLjkpJli8JrJMMNm8SKi4N-Ib_iDFd9985zdIFx6jVGrL3uT-UhQ/s1600/Lavrov+AlexanderII.jpg_1066416781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvEGw7AustMKPG1plTOFVlzZtXhBy3pNkkBT9dpjILI1ij58_6_QDE_dI37q7w1DkEJdrTV8UDHZj45C5xfyLjkpJli8JrJMMNm8SKi4N-Ib_iDFd9985zdIFx6jVGrL3uT-UhQ/s200/Lavrov+AlexanderII.jpg_1066416781.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavrov - Alexander II</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTtYqMGCQy1Tys9UPEt-LgkFP7LzI5uFvtsrrFSc7LWyqjLxQR7DQDQFmJxhICkQC4hRvrNsBVSJ-s3pNN3LVG8UIsFMznsBdtiN6175KeFtdHBtE_kiqtXSbj82bsZGSBkzheg/s1600/AIIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTtYqMGCQy1Tys9UPEt-LgkFP7LzI5uFvtsrrFSc7LWyqjLxQR7DQDQFmJxhICkQC4hRvrNsBVSJ-s3pNN3LVG8UIsFMznsBdtiN6175KeFtdHBtE_kiqtXSbj82bsZGSBkzheg/s200/AIIA.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLU1eLWRb_BbbmM5eWWEs56NPY3I_n2RPb38GGVd1xSqvpGy7F2DGk-rSP_0ZBRZISziT9CX5UfPnmO9wBcMtDq3IX99UTd81In2Q0JRGUKlaprfLFIogmbLmF9wiwe2t1vNwvA/s1600/AIIB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLU1eLWRb_BbbmM5eWWEs56NPY3I_n2RPb38GGVd1xSqvpGy7F2DGk-rSP_0ZBRZISziT9CX5UfPnmO9wBcMtDq3IX99UTd81In2Q0JRGUKlaprfLFIogmbLmF9wiwe2t1vNwvA/s200/AIIB.jpg" width="168" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZj6msZ2JNC3YRLaEdUeR00q-u4hB27dSgul4iEMQNmQ_wgirwYozFwGDeA0yNy-TmfCsnReM3JwjKqrS33mR-KNOaSPJLpRCw04jkEe93LSx_asw9d5OFsd_kZDcKVpcG-Qzzw/s1600/AIIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZj6msZ2JNC3YRLaEdUeR00q-u4hB27dSgul4iEMQNmQ_wgirwYozFwGDeA0yNy-TmfCsnReM3JwjKqrS33mR-KNOaSPJLpRCw04jkEe93LSx_asw9d5OFsd_kZDcKVpcG-Qzzw/s200/AIIC.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
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It is a little hard to tell with the small images here, of which larger versions were sent to me by a kind visitor from Russia (left click on them for larger versions), but close inspection shows that the Winberg miniature portrait depicts Alexander II in the same pose and wearing the same decorations as in the left-hand portrait. In the centre portrait, a blue sash has been added to the same medals, and in the right-hand portrait, he has additional medals. It therefore seems likely that the left-hand portrait and the Winberg miniature were painted around 1840, with the centre one painted immediately after his 1855 accession, and the right-hand one a little later in 1855, after his Order of St George had been raised from Fourth Class to First Class with a white cross.<br />
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Alexander II demonstrated his bravery when he served in the Caucasian army and helped to repulse an attack by wild tribesmen. He was awarded the Order of St. George (fourth class) for his heroism. It can be seen as the left most decoration in the Winberg miniature. Established in the Russian Empire in 1807, it was granted to non-commissioned officers, soldiers and sailors for their military heroism. After Alexander II's accession, in 1856 it was split into four degrees. On 26 November, 1869 Alexander became one of only 25 people to ever be awarded the First Degree of a white enamelled cross pattée with a central disc bearing the image of St. George on horseback slaying the dragon. The change to a white cross can be seen in the right-hand portrait and also in the Lavrov portrait, showing that was also painted after 1869.<br />
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Below are miniatures in this collection of his grandfather, Alexander I (1777-1825) see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/unknown-portrait-of-alexander-i.html" target="_blank">View</a> , his father Nicholas I (1796-1855) see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/unknown-portrait-of-nicholas-i.html" target="_blank">View</a> , and grandson, Nicholas II (1868-1918). Missing is his son, Alexander III (1859-1894).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHdQ9KmPyQGvW9Q7UWr84dQQphlIstXJkgQk47UzIO237P6jbtnouMRZ1yzqIXbh98qnr3P6px_AJFNSllfcMl4mHgoGgapmvUUkIHqCdmUaOMd_AuWlKFWp3uYwNxV8F1TMRqw/s1600/ds+1120+Alexander+I_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHdQ9KmPyQGvW9Q7UWr84dQQphlIstXJkgQk47UzIO237P6jbtnouMRZ1yzqIXbh98qnr3P6px_AJFNSllfcMl4mHgoGgapmvUUkIHqCdmUaOMd_AuWlKFWp3uYwNxV8F1TMRqw/s200/ds+1120+Alexander+I_0002.jpg" width="156" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUSzODflO17TqXe1lXRhABibRGLLHVbqHByJUD7n__QkWWZo1ajNRdEzIFzU5ptyn5GLazByluwrSqeCqBOPgNRlTj29Rof5-QV4mMNJf9zhhnOtFtHPyXL4jczkZ7ngk-EcvpQ/s1600/ds+1058+Nicholas+I_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUSzODflO17TqXe1lXRhABibRGLLHVbqHByJUD7n__QkWWZo1ajNRdEzIFzU5ptyn5GLazByluwrSqeCqBOPgNRlTj29Rof5-QV4mMNJf9zhhnOtFtHPyXL4jczkZ7ngk-EcvpQ/s200/ds+1058+Nicholas+I_0001.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCDHNZ3ISqbZvCl2slS3zfCMvDeEaXcII7xuvxdBHeuQgjHYwTuneF-KEyiJwGZUS8qBa5NOoRUoYjiG4Sirxs7sp2E2_YVo60VVFRgnJjAg6Z3n8aKp39Mm2yEMBbeym4YjkA/s1600-h/ds+1052+nicholas2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106872140143034754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCDHNZ3ISqbZvCl2slS3zfCMvDeEaXcII7xuvxdBHeuQgjHYwTuneF-KEyiJwGZUS8qBa5NOoRUoYjiG4Sirxs7sp2E2_YVo60VVFRgnJjAg6Z3n8aKp39Mm2yEMBbeym4YjkA/s200/ds+1052+nicholas2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" width="161" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-7KJSJFZeEQtppGJ22gTQdMKo_17359QhlIQCCWggsiJuyxHDlYZv3mjzJFiTTrvk4oj3m1QwW8ul6TmdlnpxRfduNIZXDw9ss7c2iGhBa2pQNwmNxIawQaS5M2E88eMLaqCuA/s1600/ds+953+Winberg_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-7KJSJFZeEQtppGJ22gTQdMKo_17359QhlIQCCWggsiJuyxHDlYZv3mjzJFiTTrvk4oj3m1QwW8ul6TmdlnpxRfduNIZXDw9ss7c2iGhBa2pQNwmNxIawQaS5M2E88eMLaqCuA/s200/ds+953+Winberg_0001.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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Ivan Winberg (died in 1851 in St. Petersburg) was a well-known Russian miniaturist of Swedish origin. He was a son of Swedish goldsmith Andreas Winberg, who was working in St. Petersburg in 1791-1816.
From the early 1820s he studied at St. Petersburg Imperial Academy; in 1830 he received the title of "naznacheny" (appointed) artist and, in 1846 - titles of professor and academician (Member of the Academy) of miniature painting.
He regularly exhibited his miniatures at annual academic exhibitions (1824, 1833, 1836, etc.). Among his works were miniature portraits (on ivory) of Alexander I, Nikolai I, Prince Kochubei, Count Sukhtelen, Empress Alexandra Fedorovna, Alexander II (as Grandduke), etc. These (as well as many other works of Ivan Winberg) portraits can be viewed in most esteemed museums of Russia: Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum, Hermitage, etc.<br />
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There is another miniature portrait by Ivan Winberg in this collection. It is this portrait of an aristocratic Russian lady who is wearing a miniature portrait of an army officer on her wrist. 953<br />
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For more details of it, see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/winberg-ivan-portrait-of-russian-lady.html" target="_blank">View</a><br />
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Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-40208358351046478792011-04-21T18:54:00.000-07:002011-04-21T19:08:24.271-07:00Autant, M - portrait of Art Nouveau lady<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz35vSVuUBmYtOeVJQad6ccdAMX6w36k_FYbJ0St-hL7ySNhN1gPp_VBB53xO4g17hexGeOen9DWLmH8xPzcuCW37nMOyldPDQU7_FyVIcF-03qXQX4fVC9xPv4nJRELxyVDDgg/s1600/ds+1348+autant1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz35vSVuUBmYtOeVJQad6ccdAMX6w36k_FYbJ0St-hL7ySNhN1gPp_VBB53xO4g17hexGeOen9DWLmH8xPzcuCW37nMOyldPDQU7_FyVIcF-03qXQX4fVC9xPv4nJRELxyVDDgg/s320/ds+1348+autant1.JPG" width="214" /></a>Miniature portraits from the late 19C and early 20C sometimes had an Art Nouveau theme, as with this exceptionally large miniature which has a sight size of 200mm x 130mm. The frame is carved and gilded. Being so large, it has suffered a vertical stress fracture but that does not detract from the unusual subject and the skill of the artist, particularly in depicting the drapery of her dress.<br />
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It is signed at the lower left "M Autant". Blattel says little about Autant, other than that he was a Belgian artist active in the 19C. To the left is a stylized forest and on the right a statue of a winged figure on a plinth, looking downwards at a group of romantic or Italianate buildings. It is quite unusual to find a Romanic or Art Nouveau type miniature of a generic nature, depicting a subject matter more often associated with larger paintings of the period. <br />
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There was a M Autant, an architect, who was involved as a witness in the Emile Zola trial, itself connected to the famous Dreyfus trial, but it has not been confirmed that he is same person, although it is possible.<br />
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There is also a reference to M Autant in connection with;<br />
<i>SANOUILLET. Lyre & Pallette or Art & Life, which later became Art & Action. A dramatic company formed by Louise Lara, ex-secretary of the French Comedy & her husband Mr. Autant. Courses of dramatic art at the theatres of Paris were offered by the war office, as rallying points for artists dispersed by the hazards of war. These included presentations of the Mamelles de Tirésias (June 1917), Colors of time (Nov. 1918), The Cuirs de Boeuf (Dec. 1918), of Georges Polti to the Academy Rene Maubel, known as of the plays of the world (déc.1918), P. Méral To the Old Dovecote; and The Parade (May 1917), etc See Cat. Collection Art & Action. BLJD, 50.282.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe93bbz2YHf4nifCMuiw74wcnqKLXmpWh_AxRrbaJ9IBRKr5nT5gd7x9Fs22LGA2_SRSgZyWEUDgx8DkovCfyOlyIWbEPhx6blc9ML3dmynjU0AXdv2lNbJgC2lryml4AT6_pLkQ/s1600/ds+1348+autant2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe93bbz2YHf4nifCMuiw74wcnqKLXmpWh_AxRrbaJ9IBRKr5nT5gd7x9Fs22LGA2_SRSgZyWEUDgx8DkovCfyOlyIWbEPhx6blc9ML3dmynjU0AXdv2lNbJgC2lryml4AT6_pLkQ/s200/ds+1348+autant2.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm7w7JkPOsu6PAc-mG1PhmLpRgLkf2UdS4Z0uk_Lmhl0XQSMpUjXYVrswK8SK7FVzwkHNY2u8EEAAHLbELho_oMDJq-gonKiFOycNTO0DoLjuQhWbnr-PYAfB6F-3SOmjC8T-Yw/s1600/ds+1348+autant3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm7w7JkPOsu6PAc-mG1PhmLpRgLkf2UdS4Z0uk_Lmhl0XQSMpUjXYVrswK8SK7FVzwkHNY2u8EEAAHLbELho_oMDJq-gonKiFOycNTO0DoLjuQhWbnr-PYAfB6F-3SOmjC8T-Yw/s200/ds+1348+autant3.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
But so far there is no certainty over the identity of this artist. Thus any assistance in identifying him further would be welcomed. 1348Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-26167726234571991152011-04-18T20:46:00.000-07:002011-04-18T21:32:52.539-07:00Helzel, Adolf - Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87oKHEsFq7t3srWtHET3GHMeYpsN96UxiAAriEpQI_ILefhvIt9dXUGSMsJlpjWeJogvYstDoXGvlyPvv-9wmyuzMsSB6yAR3sTndjfTzy6VTZDSVC90GGLHqTpKa0KD_pMXbg/s1600/ds+1417+Russian+princesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87oKHEsFq7t3srWtHET3GHMeYpsN96UxiAAriEpQI_ILefhvIt9dXUGSMsJlpjWeJogvYstDoXGvlyPvv-9wmyuzMsSB6yAR3sTndjfTzy6VTZDSVC90GGLHqTpKa0KD_pMXbg/s320/ds+1417+Russian+princesses.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>A rare and desirable miniature portrait on ivory is this one of the two eldest daughters of Tsar Nicholas II which is signed A Helzel Berlin. It is 70mm in diameter. Depicted in the miniature are Olga (1895-1918) and Tatiana (1897-1918). It was copied from a newspaper photograph of 1913 as shown below.<br />
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But when one thinks of the circumstances, it is a rare survivor. A year, later in 1914, Germany was at war with Russia, so a German artist living in Berlin could not risk painting a portrait of the Russian royal family. Four years later the Tsar had been deposed and in 1918 the whole Romanov family was murdered, so it also became dangerous for Russians to own a portrait of their royal family. Thus there can be very few contemporary miniature portraits of the family still in existence.<br />
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Blattel records very little about Adolf Helzel, only that he he lived in Bodenbach and Bohemia, was active in 1894, and was an owner of a porcelain painting company with his brothers, Emanuel and Heinrich. Other family members may have included August Helzel, and an earlier glass blower, Wilhelm Helzel. Adolph Helzel exported champagne and other wines glasses to the United States, but the New York Times reported that the importing agents ran foul of Customs with their declared values, which were held to be too low.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%201185%20helzel.3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%201185%20helzel.2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> A little research suggests that he was likely the son of Franziskus Helzel and Aloisa Ludovia Guirand who were married there on 31 December 1846. He married Adelaide Amalie Suchy on 23 August 1875 at Stein-Schooenau, Decin, Czechoslovakia and they had a daughter, Martha Melanie Wilhelmine Helzel who was born on 27 September 1882. Martha married Robert Carl Joseph Emil Manzer on 19 October 1910 at Karlsbad, Vary Karlovy, Czechoslovakia and died on 30 December, 1949.<br />
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The collection also includes another miniature signed; "A Helzel Berlin". The sitter is H.R.H. Ernst August, Duke of Cumberland (1845 - 1923), formerly the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Hanover. He was a great grandson of King George III of England. He wears the uniform of the Austrian Infantry regiment of which he was honorary Colonel. As such he was a distance cousin of Olga and Tatiana. Blattel says Helzel was active around 1894, but these two portraits suggest he was still active twenty years later. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSODotvSKuObQ7ZAR6yaGJ8MQeHM0l6xu2pIsDK86VSoPihF65v4QdGb_-oi64GY3-9trAV-ERqDgEnv1eVOiL4afMeV7m_MB4MpELBUygVsNBM7LkpxV7RzTdGQ4JHQtY71hYQ/s1600/ds+1418+romanov_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSODotvSKuObQ7ZAR6yaGJ8MQeHM0l6xu2pIsDK86VSoPihF65v4QdGb_-oi64GY3-9trAV-ERqDgEnv1eVOiL4afMeV7m_MB4MpELBUygVsNBM7LkpxV7RzTdGQ4JHQtY71hYQ/s320/ds+1418+romanov_0002.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPrP_ZyXDg3r4BpaUSGmcHDkkVauV4tCpWyCWVHagX1ddOhTi4aXsusNtdaPafSV-bBj2L2Gk5F50h91NLoEEfp9-9ZIsWvv5O9Xv8NHPqpuGB9yBK2-zYmUWbM9WdAKwokzxKA/s1600/ds+1418+romanov_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPrP_ZyXDg3r4BpaUSGmcHDkkVauV4tCpWyCWVHagX1ddOhTi4aXsusNtdaPafSV-bBj2L2Gk5F50h91NLoEEfp9-9ZIsWvv5O9Xv8NHPqpuGB9yBK2-zYmUWbM9WdAKwokzxKA/s200/ds+1418+romanov_0003.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmuU0TGbakgvRFX5rFx1ZIHV96tEeV16JanLjOiAN0hf4a5SKqDujuBwhjE6coBBVKB3QRa5bK-et-x6pkB3co1Q5BSLo7zvI_eyOUGdnwT6cG_C9BW1951Dvih0bwibr6Pmnkw/s1600/ds+1417+original+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmuU0TGbakgvRFX5rFx1ZIHV96tEeV16JanLjOiAN0hf4a5SKqDujuBwhjE6coBBVKB3QRa5bK-et-x6pkB3co1Q5BSLo7zvI_eyOUGdnwT6cG_C9BW1951Dvih0bwibr6Pmnkw/s320/ds+1417+original+photo.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigafQHxq2IdFO0eyshZaYQlzyCN7WYejNAjsRIsJNlvjk6sK7EGm1mT7oSYTvLZ-fjIuaXs9IWber75Ku53GsWfNXhCFK8dfFem6cD9fcl21jfjMVgUEhTFRbThPdBGzXJbuItJw/s1600/ds+1418+romanov_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigafQHxq2IdFO0eyshZaYQlzyCN7WYejNAjsRIsJNlvjk6sK7EGm1mT7oSYTvLZ-fjIuaXs9IWber75Ku53GsWfNXhCFK8dfFem6cD9fcl21jfjMVgUEhTFRbThPdBGzXJbuItJw/s320/ds+1418+romanov_0004.jpg" width="305" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX2QcX4ciaOeAKCHSUGKIsSyGKvRNu14D06QSNC9mXeJCfsMDWEVyfItqJdEBpQPFfZvIkmh6bmbkByJZ8nbMiCJ2GtrVQxTMpisZtDLUmAq8jIU9UZPW6xXLSgPJjrp0bjPx4g/s1600/ds+1418+romanov_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX2QcX4ciaOeAKCHSUGKIsSyGKvRNu14D06QSNC9mXeJCfsMDWEVyfItqJdEBpQPFfZvIkmh6bmbkByJZ8nbMiCJ2GtrVQxTMpisZtDLUmAq8jIU9UZPW6xXLSgPJjrp0bjPx4g/s320/ds+1418+romanov_0005.jpg" width="292" /></a><br />
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The original studio or news photo of 1913 that the miniature was copied from is shown here. There are several in the series in different poses, but it is clear this was the inspiration for the miniature. During her lifetime, Olga's future marriage was the subject of great speculation within Russia. Matches were rumored with Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich of Russia, Crown Prince Carol of Romania, Edward, Prince of Wales, eldest son of Britain's George V, and with Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia. Olga herself wanted to marry a Russian and remain in her home country. Olga's murder following the Russian Revolution of 1917 resulted in her canonization as a passion bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church. In later years, when dozens of people made claims to be surviving members of the imperial family, a woman named Marga Boodts claimed to be Grand Duchess Olga, but her claim was not taken seriously. <br />
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Tatians was better known than her three sisters during her lifetime and headed Red Cross committees during World War I. Like her older sister, Olga, she nursed wounded soldiers in a military hospital from 1914 to 1917, until the family was arrested following the first Russian Revolution of 1917. Their murder by revolutionaries on 17 July 1918 resulted in her being named as a passion bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church. They was assassinated along with her family at Ekaterinburg. Their remains were identified through DNA testing and were buried during a funeral ceremony in 1998 at Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg along with those of her parents.<br />
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A legitimate question for collectors is; "Is this a decorative miniature?" There is no straight answer to that, with the miniature showing there was a cross-over between "genuine" and "decorative" miniatures. This was not new in 1913, one hundred years earlier Henry Bone and his son Henry Pierce Bone copied other portraits, and their enamel miniatures are now highly prized. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Early and Modern Russian Decorative Miniatures</span><br />
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20868%20catherine.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20868%20catherine.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20844a%20peter1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20844a%20peter1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>Elsewhere in this collection are a number of decorative miniature portraits of Russian monarchs. They include Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. 844a, 868 <br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%201058%20Nicholas%20I.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%201058%20Nicholas%20I.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%201120%20Alexander%20I.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%201120%20Alexander%20I.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Also a miniature portrait by an unknown artist, which is a copy of a well known portrait of Alexander I (1777-1825) and one of Nicholas I (1796-1855). 1120 1058<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEoGXoxPAnqXBM43uJna1ct6jC_VyC4Q0yk5fh5MO0e32pACV1K15HHrVE_zxSW-5I37SRPFR8qnmQ2jzrlVVZqQMRSHfu5XGZAyyJ7m7hi_2o4X-CxpfMC3jYX9_2P3d_hp3Ng/s1600-h/ds+1266+alexandra.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113867333941396818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEoGXoxPAnqXBM43uJna1ct6jC_VyC4Q0yk5fh5MO0e32pACV1K15HHrVE_zxSW-5I37SRPFR8qnmQ2jzrlVVZqQMRSHfu5XGZAyyJ7m7hi_2o4X-CxpfMC3jYX9_2P3d_hp3Ng/s320/ds+1266+alexandra.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCDHNZ3ISqbZvCl2slS3zfCMvDeEaXcII7xuvxdBHeuQgjHYwTuneF-KEyiJwGZUS8qBa5NOoRUoYjiG4Sirxs7sp2E2_YVo60VVFRgnJjAg6Z3n8aKp39Mm2yEMBbeym4YjkA/s1600-h/ds+1052+nicholas2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106872140143034754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCDHNZ3ISqbZvCl2slS3zfCMvDeEaXcII7xuvxdBHeuQgjHYwTuneF-KEyiJwGZUS8qBa5NOoRUoYjiG4Sirxs7sp2E2_YVo60VVFRgnJjAg6Z3n8aKp39Mm2yEMBbeym4YjkA/s320/ds+1052+nicholas2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>Since 1990 the Russian royal family has regained nostalgic popularity, to the extent that decorative miniatures are again being painted, some of them are of a high standard. Shown here are four Russian miniatures painted since 2000. They are of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra, together with two of his children, Grand Duchess Tatania amd Grand Duchess Anastasia.<br />
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This type of miniature is called Fedoskino or Palekh miniatures, after the Russian villages where many are still painted using lacquer on a papier-mache base. For more about them see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artrusse.ca%2Ffedoskino_en.htm&ei=70LfRqDMM5e6hAKb3OnkAg&usg=AFQjCNHNUeSZ4gi8zfZANAhteFTsE4oTgg&sig2=CqTlt5swNx975gCvgZvbtg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNHNUeSZ4gi8zfZANAhteFTsE4oTgg','&sig2=CqTlt5swNx975gCvgZvbtg')"><b>Russian</b> lacquer <b>miniature</b> - Fedoskino</a> These can be purchased relatively inexpensively and would make a great basis for a collection for anyone interested in collecting miniature art, but with a tight limit on the amount of money they can spend.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVKjBVp_87evJ7l8e4zeWhpZZ4nbnRxsgWYpoM_3A7Fc4Erjbs0ljsFyycxTSc9voq3F6lo-gCWuBM612r6CQOoiO97qXCEgfBDic7YRdKyi9rzJs9sZD1vWJx1NmGlMtjVp2ww/s1600-h/ds+1063+anastasia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106872144438002066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVKjBVp_87evJ7l8e4zeWhpZZ4nbnRxsgWYpoM_3A7Fc4Erjbs0ljsFyycxTSc9voq3F6lo-gCWuBM612r6CQOoiO97qXCEgfBDic7YRdKyi9rzJs9sZD1vWJx1NmGlMtjVp2ww/s320/ds+1063+anastasia.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89cRVhKgWTwyzqfVXw7wX7jOXN8ccCNJMoiXcVNmghYPhQXvfTWXe4jX4XW5RDD-BQl4g47idqVWupi8pa-lKfCkfg7tccdfIt5WvWw8yy3W-iC12NS8mog2b12AJHSC_enF2yg/s1600-h/ds+1267+tatania.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113867385481004386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89cRVhKgWTwyzqfVXw7wX7jOXN8ccCNJMoiXcVNmghYPhQXvfTWXe4jX4XW5RDD-BQl4g47idqVWupi8pa-lKfCkfg7tccdfIt5WvWw8yy3W-iC12NS8mog2b12AJHSC_enF2yg/s320/ds+1267+tatania.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>Thus miniatures by Fedoskino artists provide a means of forming an attractive and inexpensive collection, and in doing so provide an insight into the times and events associated with the original sitters.Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-35751246561439354062011-04-11T19:08:00.000-07:002011-04-22T16:18:18.917-07:00Morel-Ladeuil, Leonard - The Death of Andre Mazet, Barcelona, 1821<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2f-HYXNYPNdznGS5KMvWx0UfNs_SoQoskROBGCVlZTCNXrhVnOEFPP_x9r4Ph8yJk3wzRS_-O_6Yja_HRwUZ6ksDMnLCtYb9Jo8nnBbOeSRFoGj3rk2URBCTI7gegqXKMbgYMw/s1600/ds+1411+Morel+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2f-HYXNYPNdznGS5KMvWx0UfNs_SoQoskROBGCVlZTCNXrhVnOEFPP_x9r4Ph8yJk3wzRS_-O_6Yja_HRwUZ6ksDMnLCtYb9Jo8nnBbOeSRFoGj3rk2URBCTI7gegqXKMbgYMw/s320/ds+1411+Morel+cover.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>In collecting miniature portraits it becomes inevitable that one becomes attracted to items slightly outside the boundaries of a collection, but related to it and interesting in their own right.<br />
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One such an example is this French snuff box. There are 6 or 8 snuff boxes in this collection which have portrait miniatures as part of the decoration. Hence this one looked interesting, especially as it has a medical theme, as over two years have been spent researching the life and times of the 19C surgeon Sir Anthony Carlisle. <br />
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The snuff lid decoration is 70mm in diameter and is set into the lid of a composition or papier mache box. The material appears to be a thin sheet of gold applied to a thin sheet of copper, as the base, in a similar manner to Sheffield Plate. The design technique is repousse, which means raised in relief, as a design on a thin piece of metal hammered through from the underside. A similar effect can be achieved by pressing or stamping a design, but the detail on this example appears too fine for that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06BJVXIdk8xrNCMjcTWnvfcmHjnaA0dtT0qL9Xqlqzd2X6sQoNO-j8P9gqQzm91j7AciN1PsR1Ey-QHPLrmYCgnbXtJ7sGWuWh2w9u-HRNLF5SD-5OXDPwO0ZrY0OCZ6gMtYQiA/s1600/ds+1411.jpg+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06BJVXIdk8xrNCMjcTWnvfcmHjnaA0dtT0qL9Xqlqzd2X6sQoNO-j8P9gqQzm91j7AciN1PsR1Ey-QHPLrmYCgnbXtJ7sGWuWh2w9u-HRNLF5SD-5OXDPwO0ZrY0OCZ6gMtYQiA/s320/ds+1411.jpg+box.JPG" width="320" /></a>As discussed further below, there was a yellow fever epidemic in Barcelona in 1821. A French medical team including six physicians and two nuns was sent to Barcelona to provide assistance. Dr Rocheaux (aka Dr Rochoux) one of the French physicians at Barcelona during the epidemic, states in his book on yellow fever printed in 1828, that in the early part of the epidemic the mortality was in the proportion of 19 out of 20 of those infected, that towards the middle it became much less, and at the close was only two thirds. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rXLQQEoSpOe2eoJXAetzdyX0qKebyq4DkZuqK68szfTqG2kChhBdTgHtiXx6FeA48KTHlbipJAHIAqYvsW-qQ2LHmG29e8nMyYJmStRN1vI_zjp0B6m_zi3Gw65kwfbjCxNNgg/s1600/yf9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rXLQQEoSpOe2eoJXAetzdyX0qKebyq4DkZuqK68szfTqG2kChhBdTgHtiXx6FeA48KTHlbipJAHIAqYvsW-qQ2LHmG29e8nMyYJmStRN1vI_zjp0B6m_zi3Gw65kwfbjCxNNgg/s1600/yf9.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQxXJxaOYvZllsEUGft_1SATuWBFyqeUMPpIwFrSUVp31Lc0-e66m4i39-dASg0FvmgUnuH1OmvXywDqZweqcnAPbqKDvfWc1ayXW35SdGSAdSpDiu6U9zeCZo9ET7QNiTrPeWQ/s1600/yf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQxXJxaOYvZllsEUGft_1SATuWBFyqeUMPpIwFrSUVp31Lc0-e66m4i39-dASg0FvmgUnuH1OmvXywDqZweqcnAPbqKDvfWc1ayXW35SdGSAdSpDiu6U9zeCZo9ET7QNiTrPeWQ/s1600/yf8.jpg" /></a>The doctors can be seen tending the victims in tented cubicles on the right, with the two nuns, acting as nurses, standing at the rear. A doctor, perhaps Dr Rochoux, sits at the front mourning his colleague, and wondering about the cause of the epidemic. An angel is conveying to heaven, the soul of Dr Andre Mazet (seen here) who has just died, while placing a wreath on the obelisk. Death, as a skeleton holding the sickle of the Grim Reaper stands on the left and is raising the lid of an empty tomb. The tree is a weeping willow, ready to weep over the dead, but is outshone by the sun, shining brightly with pleasure at the positive efforts of the doctors. <br />
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There are several inscriptions on it;<br />
Bottom - DEVOUEMENT DES MEDECINS FRANCAIS A BARCELONNE 1821- which translates as commemorating "the devotion of the French doctors in Barcelona in 1821".<br />
Left on obelisk - MA ZET - There are two interpretations. Firstly, Andre Mazet was one of the doctors who died two years after publishing his book, "Observations sur la Fievre Jaune, Faites a Cadix, en 1819". This was an account of a similar outbreak in Cadiz in 1819, with Mazet himself a victim of yellow fever contracted during the expedition to Barcelona. But secondly, and less likely, "mazette" is an old expression meaning "Nothing or Empty", with the funeral monument empty because the doctors have saved so many lives.<br />
Left on tomb - ILS ME LES RAVISSENT - Death is implying, there is nothing here for me; "they (the doctors ) have taken all of them".<br />
Left under tomb - MOREL F - for Morel fecit - Morel made it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7ZwmviQyhqRzsCbQ3c75NDOlvwl1PcnDd11hS3fhjt6THyd4lHf3VQAY3ynkuAGloTgtl2pFKEAMbgwqAVj5vBSX5AGqnhbIea30Gi4Sd_3fZZgfT9oYgwCA7EsyCyx9N-fqXA/s1600/morel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7ZwmviQyhqRzsCbQ3c75NDOlvwl1PcnDd11hS3fhjt6THyd4lHf3VQAY3ynkuAGloTgtl2pFKEAMbgwqAVj5vBSX5AGqnhbIea30Gi4Sd_3fZZgfT9oYgwCA7EsyCyx9N-fqXA/s320/morel.jpg" width="320" /></a>There were several French jewellers named Morel and this was likely made later than 1821 by Leonard Morel-Ladeuil. Alternatively, it may be an earlier piece by Gabriel-Raoul Morel (c1819-1838) who made the box showing here, or by Alexandre-Raoul Morel (c1833-1850)<br />
<i>LEONARD MOREL-LADEUIL (1820-1888), French goldsmith and sculptor, was born at Clermont-Ferrand. He was apprenticed first to Morel, a manufacturer of bronzes, under whom he became one of the most expert chasers, or ciseleurs, in France, and then to Antoine Vechte, to acquire the art of repousse (q.v.) - the art in which he was to excel. He studied further under J. J. Feuchere and then attracted the notice of the comte d'Orsay and the due de Morny, through whose recommendation the French government, desirous of popularizing the idea of the new Imperialism, commissioned him to produce the "Empire Shield." Napoleon III. notified his warm approval, but the trade, annoyed that a craftsman should obtain commissions direct, resented the innovation and thenceforward boycotted the young artist, whose beautiful and poetic vase, "Dance of the Willis" (the spirits dancing round the vase, above the lake represented on a dish below) none would take. He was encouraged nevertheless by a foreign dealer in Paris, Marchi, who employed him on statuettes, mainly religious in character, until 1859, when Messrs Elkington, in view of the great exhibition of 1862, engaged him to work in Birmingham for three years in repousse, assuring him a free hand. Following his silver "Night" came "Day," and then the "Inventions" vase, which placed him at once at the top of his profession. This was followed by the beautiful plateau called "Dreams," which was subscribed for (£150) by Birmingham as the town weddinggift to the prince and princess of Wales. Morel-Ladeuil's contract was then renewed for five years, but as a matter of fact he remained with the firm for twenty-three years at their London house, the first result being his masterpiece the "Milton Shield: Paradise Lost" (in repousse steel and silver), which was the sensation of the Paris Exhibition. It was bought by the English government for £3000, and thousands of copies made by "galvanoplastie" or electrotype were sold and spread all over the world. Then after "The Months" came another masterpiece, the "Helicon Vase," in steel, silver, and gold, priced at £6000, which in course of time was presented by the ladies and gentlemen of the royal house to Queen Victoria on her first jubilee. For the Philadelphia Exhibition (1876) MorelLadeuil produced "A Pompeian Lady at her Toilet," following it in 1878 with the "Bunyan Shield," a companion to the Milton. After putting forth his reliefs "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "The Merchant of Venice," and "Much Ado about Nothing," in view of his failing health he retired to Boulogne, where he died of angina pectoris on the 15th of March 1888, and was buried with much ceremony at Clermont-Ferrand. His total work, apart from the productions of his youth, numbers 35 pieces, which richly reveal his elegant and refined fancy and grace, his feeling for correct and dainty ornament, and his love of pure art marked by an elevated if rather sentimental taste and a noble style. </i><br />
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The following paragraphs from <a class="l" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDAQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fiberianature.com%2Fbarcelona%2F2009%2F05%2F14%2Fyellow-fever-in-barcelona%2F&rct=j&q=yellow%20fever%20barcelona%201821&ei=FqqjTdvZE4H6sAPk_In5DA&usg=AFQjCNGOoymaPKoNQDoU-Dl3gtu3FgC8wA&sig2=fK-F-hK531cwtsj67U5C4g&cad=rja"><i>Yellow fever</i> in <i>Barcelona</i> - <i>Barcelona</i> blog - <i>Barcelona</i> food <b>...</b></a> provide the background.<i> </i><br />
<i>In the centre of Poble Nou Cemetery is a monument to the victims of the outbreak of yellow fever in Barcelona in 1821. The disease was brought by a boat from Cuba. The epidemic first hit the poor areas, and then the rest of the city. It is thought that at least 20,000 inhabitants died from the disease, that is a sixth of the total population (120,000). To the north, the French authorities took emergency measures by cutting off land and maritime borders and blocking French ports to Catalan vessels and defining a quarantine line along the Pyrenean border patrolled by 15,000 soldiers.</i><br />
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<i>A French medical team including six physicians and two nuns was sent to Barcelona to provide assistance. Long after the epidemic had receded, the Pyrenean quarantine line was maintained by the French authorities for a hidden political purpose: Paris wished to contain Spanish Liberalism, a “revolutionary pest”. French troops engaged in the so-called quarantine line were used in 1823 to invade Spain, while French physicians returning to Paris were celebrated as heroes and benefactors of mankind although they had not provided any serious contribution to the therapeutics or the epidemiology of yellow fever. They were glorified in publications of the time. This unexpected manifestation of nationalism was welcomed and encouraged by the government of Louis XVIII who felt himself threatened by the liberal opposition.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi911BJ3Ma7h1YefseIXs__kknNhLJGRSYW7msEwj4XzU-ybRiwr9N6lQQeoYc68g9qvgIgoKLTjKlaKu3TZb49mYf61URGqtQS8owiAdLhwUfNF0ePEfP-itWAN8S-w4xoFcew9Q/s1600/mazet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi911BJ3Ma7h1YefseIXs__kknNhLJGRSYW7msEwj4XzU-ybRiwr9N6lQQeoYc68g9qvgIgoKLTjKlaKu3TZb49mYf61URGqtQS8owiAdLhwUfNF0ePEfP-itWAN8S-w4xoFcew9Q/s400/mazet1.jpg" width="400" /></a>There is an oil painting as shown here, by Henri Auguste Cesar Serrur (1794-1865) titled <i>La Mort de Mazet</i> which was painted in 1861. It is in Musée des Beaux Arts de Cambrai.<br />
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The events, including the death of Mazet, "Mort de Mazet", are also depicted in a set of engravings kindly made available on the Internet at <a class="l noline" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclassiques.uqac.ca%2Fcontemporains%2Fhoffmann_leon_francois%2Fpeste_a_barcelone%2Fpeste_a_barcelone_figures.html&rct=j&q=%22Mort%20de%20Mazet%22&ei=gQ-xTa6KHdLPiAL0_rWvBg&usg=AFQjCNGZX2jbeTNFi_rZHKMFZGPp5EHJ0Q&sig2=erux2S_ZoePTl2wthyQSKg&cad=rja">Léon-François Hoffmann, LA PESTE À BARCELONE. En marge de l <b>... </b></a> where larger images of those below can be seen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2PJYnidQlI4OveaJleSKyHBTC-GU3WsjSZg8_eP8q1Ng9dBhHQmkowzv86QkYj3_Yg8U1o2CHl3j2zkbgtqsDXYyNobOEKWys8dg0rF0wZ8JP5-IMSc_DG6vjKf7zAZyNh7iQ/s1600/yf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2PJYnidQlI4OveaJleSKyHBTC-GU3WsjSZg8_eP8q1Ng9dBhHQmkowzv86QkYj3_Yg8U1o2CHl3j2zkbgtqsDXYyNobOEKWys8dg0rF0wZ8JP5-IMSc_DG6vjKf7zAZyNh7iQ/s320/yf3.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib85NfpbqKAyS1rR1YQppDcDKrBJdr7wtkJSdc-j0NtbbqBPfyEeJ1Os6HcvknPXHhQ4Rv-ze9CGhgFyVWCTH-imEpbZQkKtvqy8UNX8sYb_cGLNDHvzxBnOiWt00dTUSEozXfTw/s1600/yf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib85NfpbqKAyS1rR1YQppDcDKrBJdr7wtkJSdc-j0NtbbqBPfyEeJ1Os6HcvknPXHhQ4Rv-ze9CGhgFyVWCTH-imEpbZQkKtvqy8UNX8sYb_cGLNDHvzxBnOiWt00dTUSEozXfTw/s200/yf2.jpg" width="122" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlug3kefzu4b_VPD5cDlfmjLSnwUhMppvGDAHo60L_H5QqAIW9zbOgT7ot-y57YKfcMd3me5377lGmlQoeduxWHROETTXdX5xXN_XE-vTWY6FLcMe3zl2351q1baQbPa3SN0ELSA/s1600/yf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlug3kefzu4b_VPD5cDlfmjLSnwUhMppvGDAHo60L_H5QqAIW9zbOgT7ot-y57YKfcMd3me5377lGmlQoeduxWHROETTXdX5xXN_XE-vTWY6FLcMe3zl2351q1baQbPa3SN0ELSA/s200/yf1.jpg" width="127" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TDrVashPzbEQj9Mbd_aCNKDt91sRlFuS9MW1TqT1KN8r5F_EJ1MNhLO9CHa58-uOcWz5HmmZX1rlDN_Voi43571vcbs2M9WGVWNxm5JP4v1NUaNwzDoRSbP9saN231Phsz1t1w/s1600/yf7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TDrVashPzbEQj9Mbd_aCNKDt91sRlFuS9MW1TqT1KN8r5F_EJ1MNhLO9CHa58-uOcWz5HmmZX1rlDN_Voi43571vcbs2M9WGVWNxm5JP4v1NUaNwzDoRSbP9saN231Phsz1t1w/s320/yf7.jpg" width="201" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45JAwjWZ_iq7sOQluKbQRmo7yWHLS9AFzh_kiP_bVIBRIznGbWn2KPi_lErEz0f1Om4oZZGb-2h904SN-10mUjC2Z3xFx1BudeCP07NWXhHbo4CuWzwYjIjOf6lkQHCx4ef_XJQ/s1600/yf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45JAwjWZ_iq7sOQluKbQRmo7yWHLS9AFzh_kiP_bVIBRIznGbWn2KPi_lErEz0f1Om4oZZGb-2h904SN-10mUjC2Z3xFx1BudeCP07NWXhHbo4CuWzwYjIjOf6lkQHCx4ef_XJQ/s320/yf5.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bytNnGu0Hj-JWD0DAMpGLgSFDrdxkveroFcz0fcQjNIleKNLClwcu13cDy8JYkFwHOXvF3AizsFCbjCUXtb9rLPURmeu0uZ9wTLl_uJav1_7DWfU2my70F4_ZSf1OeAZfIHyqQ/s1600/yf4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bytNnGu0Hj-JWD0DAMpGLgSFDrdxkveroFcz0fcQjNIleKNLClwcu13cDy8JYkFwHOXvF3AizsFCbjCUXtb9rLPURmeu0uZ9wTLl_uJav1_7DWfU2my70F4_ZSf1OeAZfIHyqQ/s320/yf4.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNrwdavjiL4Trs4xoPvBH2S5NZvHZonGMJJ8NJ6H8heS17zySKkK454feBxO8DakhLxi0foep2dLBcmrP6061mhHVlSPBe3SHn5KkP4IZSz_Nd5m3IKLChP7FqdiIb2C021Zvog/s1600/yf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNrwdavjiL4Trs4xoPvBH2S5NZvHZonGMJJ8NJ6H8heS17zySKkK454feBxO8DakhLxi0foep2dLBcmrP6061mhHVlSPBe3SHn5KkP4IZSz_Nd5m3IKLChP7FqdiIb2C021Zvog/s200/yf6.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAmjnaaN4stiUFjaoKw842mrv3fEmr0fc9fFKSdtKWN__t-Je43AQbtC-XosfoSs0U3QAVXPXRKYS6-pWrOEG93O6OXGzQJhuH4Ohh57VpLAAiV39IK2NDWxibISC8P7m8cBDUg/s1600/ds+1411+extra+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAmjnaaN4stiUFjaoKw842mrv3fEmr0fc9fFKSdtKWN__t-Je43AQbtC-XosfoSs0U3QAVXPXRKYS6-pWrOEG93O6OXGzQJhuH4Ohh57VpLAAiV39IK2NDWxibISC8P7m8cBDUg/s200/ds+1411+extra+example.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiA-oLrL-snX4fmA1RxJh3Lzjd1ufXcqeg2OpZiOLheuGlMjbdSK0zcUMIMVnIS3ED1pOKkVOVZNqFo0-YUXQGAbF6kyC9vu6JT1JySFCC617PPEqFVHdBJLjAUvNDQzzQ7rlvXA/s1600/morel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiA-oLrL-snX4fmA1RxJh3Lzjd1ufXcqeg2OpZiOLheuGlMjbdSK0zcUMIMVnIS3ED1pOKkVOVZNqFo0-YUXQGAbF6kyC9vu6JT1JySFCC617PPEqFVHdBJLjAUvNDQzzQ7rlvXA/s200/morel4.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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It is not known whether there are multiple copies of the snuff box or if this was a single example. Other similar snuff boxes signed Morel are known, as shown here. The one on the left was offered for sale on eBay and that on the right offered for sale by Trinity Antiques on Ruby Lane, and described as "The high carat gilded medallion depicts Jesus Christ being delicately tended and lifted from the tomb. This medal was sculpted by one of the Morel brothers, famous for their quality. The detail is very fine. We can see the crown of thorns removed on the ground. Alongside are the nails and pliers. A cherub bathes Jesus's feet whilst the other two tend his upper body wounds. The words JESUS-CHRIST AU TOMBEAU (Jesus Christ Without The Tomb) surround the scene and below the arrows MOREL.F." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_oDZf_MQdV_mLN_8mom6XmmssqqrfJUQMjLGPu6gFH_qlfInc_zooji-U1W70SNHBvBF1Q0rXAUQFMOi55abYgPVMOsKPpnVv2j-dP5z_XTPMCx7HA1o0xTf5EnPl91Z5IzOUQ/s1600/morel5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_oDZf_MQdV_mLN_8mom6XmmssqqrfJUQMjLGPu6gFH_qlfInc_zooji-U1W70SNHBvBF1Q0rXAUQFMOi55abYgPVMOsKPpnVv2j-dP5z_XTPMCx7HA1o0xTf5EnPl91Z5IzOUQ/s320/morel5.jpg" width="320" /></a>The third example has a portrait of George Washington and was offered for sale by snuffbox.com. 1411Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-42986989575454056372011-04-08T18:24:00.000-07:002011-04-08T18:24:03.849-07:00Unknown - portrait of a patriotic Frenchman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqufD_sFoaCI_ZTgFbeKnrFq0e2DcqgD2MwkOGsGGVOmxMxznt7j1IjVE40pwxqTxS0ijYmt5sUTFuTHj-r7BpTxvis8RNkKxLfmKudyNk85i4EDbtaLJZpac1F-IpJ3RDvXikhQ/s1600/ds+1407+soldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqufD_sFoaCI_ZTgFbeKnrFq0e2DcqgD2MwkOGsGGVOmxMxznt7j1IjVE40pwxqTxS0ijYmt5sUTFuTHj-r7BpTxvis8RNkKxLfmKudyNk85i4EDbtaLJZpac1F-IpJ3RDvXikhQ/s320/ds+1407+soldier.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>Although this miniature portrait is unsigned, and of an unidentified man, it is interesting as an indication of the effects of the French Revolution on men's dress. <br />
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The man is no longer wearing a powdered wig of the 1780's and is now proudly wearing the colours of the revolution. <br />
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Although it looks a little like a military uniform, it is perhaps more likely just to show his allegiance as a an "advertisement" and so to avoid potential persecution, or even the guillotine, as a reviled aristocrat. <br />
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The condition is less than perfect, but it was painted by a very competent artist.<br />
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It is 55mm in diameter, so is smaller in size than became common after 1800. 1407Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-8222422852848803852011-04-08T17:02:00.000-07:002011-04-08T17:02:42.059-07:00Renoldguy (?) - portrait of a unknown man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXSU1T8Sf0HDrLuS2elPcRqcL-bPwHFzKVgLsdtJApC3YTGopoNZeS-EcRq2tTQ7vNwF5RGG0t3wBPaaUdVIb8lccteRWklPitJ55a-NGknb3DkLe6jBZwHdJm5Fp6WaKsoTBNw/s1600/ds+1406+1200_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXSU1T8Sf0HDrLuS2elPcRqcL-bPwHFzKVgLsdtJApC3YTGopoNZeS-EcRq2tTQ7vNwF5RGG0t3wBPaaUdVIb8lccteRWklPitJ55a-NGknb3DkLe6jBZwHdJm5Fp6WaKsoTBNw/s320/ds+1406+1200_0001.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>A valuable reference for collectors of French miniatures is Les Peintres en Miniature by Nathalie Lemoine-Bouchard. But, unfortunately, the artist who painted this miniature does not seem to feature in that dictionary, nor in Blattel, and hence appears to be a previously unrecorded French artist.<br />
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The signature is very hard to read and any assistance in identifying the artist would be gratefully received. It appears never to have previously been out of its frame, and so the faint writing is compounded by dirt which has seeped under the glass for over 200 years. It has been possible to brush some of the dirt off with a dry brush, but it is still very hard to read.<br />
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One guess is Renoldguy, but that is not a French name, neither are "renoldque" nor "renalaque"; another possibility is to read it perhaps as : Renold pinx<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9gEcy5Vv27leerlilaQipkn14ZabVob9Gl-ggjs-YFh-Z5IAxv6PIdnyjYEzHkJeHoFiEZtMmxNNN1DrZgfEyi6gDXjJmsSsLc7V_iVZwuI8at2HinKcxA-9ET1a-wK9xF4ckw/s1600/ds+1406+1200_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9gEcy5Vv27leerlilaQipkn14ZabVob9Gl-ggjs-YFh-Z5IAxv6PIdnyjYEzHkJeHoFiEZtMmxNNN1DrZgfEyi6gDXjJmsSsLc7V_iVZwuI8at2HinKcxA-9ET1a-wK9xF4ckw/s320/ds+1406+1200_0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The artist is seen to be competent, without being outstanding. The main interest being the discovery of a previously unrecorded French artist who appears to have worked around 1790.<br />
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The miniature is only 60mm in diameter and so comes within the French modest school, that is a miniature of smaller size, rather than suggesting it is by an artist of modest ability. 1406Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-50029771449748588892011-02-24T17:27:00.000-08:002011-02-24T17:39:50.260-08:00Bossi, Domenico - portrait of a man in a navy coat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m2rf9sC7PJ3mKaWLSx4QXhYzPPQ2uZa3A5nolVNcajippk2WYIwcKaOoigXQbpupcOJ7uIreqZJ3sXUu1l9tLUFuPKAKQvlX1QWUZyBqa5CUWC7sbAV9aQQ5PpALzw6jEiVO4w/s1600/ds+1409+bossi_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m2rf9sC7PJ3mKaWLSx4QXhYzPPQ2uZa3A5nolVNcajippk2WYIwcKaOoigXQbpupcOJ7uIreqZJ3sXUu1l9tLUFuPKAKQvlX1QWUZyBqa5CUWC7sbAV9aQQ5PpALzw6jEiVO4w/s320/ds+1409+bossi_0001.jpg" width="307" /></a>Eight and ten years ago, fortunate purchases for this collection, on two different occasions, were two miniatures acquired for very modest prices, which on receipt turned out to be by Domenico Bossi (1765-1853) an Italian artist born in Trieste, but who worked in several different cities. <br />
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Although his style can vary, some of his miniatures are quite distinctive, and since then anything resembling his work tends to stand out. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz08NsckHtFYYBC3cvVaBdH1aZc_1VVwNntv4r_KsCjbwqkXS7jrV3O2fwMs6kqAU27WgiiRIIsXTL2T84EA2gPWGgMSuM3Gm9n6gAcd0DhRNXW_lfEMiBA4kEaRHqKm3MSM4gw/s1600/ds+1409+reverse_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz08NsckHtFYYBC3cvVaBdH1aZc_1VVwNntv4r_KsCjbwqkXS7jrV3O2fwMs6kqAU27WgiiRIIsXTL2T84EA2gPWGgMSuM3Gm9n6gAcd0DhRNXW_lfEMiBA4kEaRHqKm3MSM4gw/s320/ds+1409+reverse_0001.jpg" width="283" /></a>Bossi is a prized artist and hence a very fortunate acquisition at a local auction was this miniature portrait, described only as, "A Late 18C Circular Portrait Miniature on Ivory of a gentleman in a gold frame with memorium hair backing. Estimate $250-$450". It was listed among twenty lots of decorative and other miniatures of little value, so was very much out of place at the auction.<br />
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As it looked like a Bossi, it was necessary to inspect it, fortunately the auction house was quite close. On viewing the miniature, although perhaps a little faded, it was possible to detect a faint signature on the left starting D B..... This confirmed a feeling it was by Bossi. The reverse has two shades of hair laid at right angles, together with a damaged label which is unfortunately illegible as it may have shown the name of the sitter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzviDXoW-68WcbUMKGjXcU1ohUPlqIlZFnTfMDRUeHN3oSbd_qtLZWT1pKl-k2p9RfDZOUuCzAKomqJa5NNE1PYDbpRrynzJKNx5L6XKKZuohM4_elicmRv8boAkwRtCjMABKRQ/s1600/ds+1409+bossi_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzviDXoW-68WcbUMKGjXcU1ohUPlqIlZFnTfMDRUeHN3oSbd_qtLZWT1pKl-k2p9RfDZOUuCzAKomqJa5NNE1PYDbpRrynzJKNx5L6XKKZuohM4_elicmRv8boAkwRtCjMABKRQ/s200/ds+1409+bossi_0002.jpg" width="180" /></a>Fortunately, no one else picked the artist and it was purchased for less than the high estimate. <br />
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On opening the miniature the signature was only marginally clearer, but by enhancing the sharpness and contrast of the image, as seen here, it became possible to read the signature as "D Bossi 1795".<br />
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Schidlof describes Domenico Bossi (1765-1853) "as one of the best miniaturists of his period; in particular his works of the 18C are remarkable for expression and relief. In his first period he painted the shadows in surfaces using contrasts of sometimes hard light parts."<br />
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This aspect of Bossi's style is very apparent in this portrait, as the facial features are in a single colour, but made apparent by different depths of colour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6TjuYrWN-5ezgdAz2JrGrzmDO59n9MGWoSfgqbN6yq7qdZUdZTv24n-OHxcCz4EI_0ec4y8iHOP8Rc9QAoqQoiyy4T_bvrMMc5w-P5V57VTTGaCQbE-INZAoLMZqj2b8z9KCYg/s1600/ds+1409+bossi_0002+enhanced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6TjuYrWN-5ezgdAz2JrGrzmDO59n9MGWoSfgqbN6yq7qdZUdZTv24n-OHxcCz4EI_0ec4y8iHOP8Rc9QAoqQoiyy4T_bvrMMc5w-P5V57VTTGaCQbE-INZAoLMZqj2b8z9KCYg/s200/ds+1409+bossi_0002+enhanced.jpg" width="200" /></a>The National Museum in Stockholm contains 36 works by Bossi, dated 1796-1815. Hence this miniature of 1795 is an early work by Bossi, who in between 1794 and 1796 was working in Hamburg. Then going to Stockholm until 1802. He also worked in St Petersburg, Paris, and Vienna<br />
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One of the other two Bossi miniatures, of Baroness Leopold Neuwall is dated 1816, when he was in Vienna, so is towards the end of his career. For more see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/bossi-domenico-portrait-of-baroness.html" target="_blank">View</a> The second is unsigned but is of Carl-Ludwig (1755-1801), Hereditary Prince of Baden.For more see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/bossi-domenico-portrait-of-carl-ludwig.html" target="_blank">View</a><br />
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In comparing the portraits of 1795 and 1816, the increased range of colours used in painting the facial features is quite apparent. 290, 492, 1409 <br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20492%20man%20with%20blue%20sash%20and%20decoration.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20492%20man%20with%20blue%20sash%20and%20decoration.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="175" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20290%20Dominco%20Bossi.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20290%20Dominco%20Bossi.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-1145573615279045032010-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:002010-10-28T14:34:58.436-07:00Curiger - wax portrait of a man<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6DATSBKq_1OYyhku824o7LilpQlAZoGUH0Rstp5GxlrU5xFY8i8fjOHDIxJVxDvKV_t02KhAsCli6q3a1RsZK-R1P7CMWEP-aRHL0YP46XzrD37Cx_Mko1F10uIsu1qQyRJaHA/s1600/ds+1385+wax+miniature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6DATSBKq_1OYyhku824o7LilpQlAZoGUH0Rstp5GxlrU5xFY8i8fjOHDIxJVxDvKV_t02KhAsCli6q3a1RsZK-R1P7CMWEP-aRHL0YP46XzrD37Cx_Mko1F10uIsu1qQyRJaHA/s320/ds+1385+wax+miniature.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is a wax miniature portrait from around 1815-1820. It is unsigned and the sitter is unknown. <br />
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The portrait is well modelled and is very similar to portraits by members of the Curiger family of Switzerland. Their work is normally on a slate background, whereas this one is on paper. The family was very well known in the late 18C and early 19C, and there were seven of them who modelled in wax. <br />
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It is unusual for it to be on a paper background, as that was nor rigid enough to support the wax, thus I am inclined to the opinion that the original background was broken at some stage, and the sculpture was then mounted on paper. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8o-8XJI0xd52ZhM7Qjh6OGKDr-rRRTZoKuqYXER-EI-HnmnUwISKSRM0b8LxwqiuX91-PZbKas8lZX4Wlg4OwmLaaPNK4AU_C0EkSkL7GCBSGp9olbBBkbqNRkYFzpq3mBsldA/s1600/ds+1385+wax+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8o-8XJI0xd52ZhM7Qjh6OGKDr-rRRTZoKuqYXER-EI-HnmnUwISKSRM0b8LxwqiuX91-PZbKas8lZX4Wlg4OwmLaaPNK4AU_C0EkSkL7GCBSGp9olbBBkbqNRkYFzpq3mBsldA/s320/ds+1385+wax+closeup.JPG" width="240" /></a>Wax portraits are even rarer than those on ivory, so correspondingly, fewer collectors ever see them, nor collect them. 1385<br />
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A wax miniature portrait in the collection by Joseph Benedict Curiger the Elder, can be see at; <br />
<a href="http://european-miniatures2.blogspot.com/2006/04/curiger-joseph-benedict-elder-portrait.html">Curiger, Joseph Benedict the Elder - portrait of man</a> <br />
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20943%20curiger.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20943%20curiger.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-1145580912257860762010-10-28T14:06:00.000-07:002010-10-28T14:15:12.396-07:00Unknown - Decorated French soldier, 1915<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl9CefMFddfcQbuOPZxG_d3xof9bEfeYe7Fa-t7xc1XjnFvM2o4IIOoAGFal2NbzAAQOwTM7w9nJmz0KPrFyeY3flwZKy0-LdgTbuLRw0JOePEOQBqQkpzJhcnGbl1GT4YVnnJw/s1600/ds+1392+soldier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl9CefMFddfcQbuOPZxG_d3xof9bEfeYe7Fa-t7xc1XjnFvM2o4IIOoAGFal2NbzAAQOwTM7w9nJmz0KPrFyeY3flwZKy0-LdgTbuLRw0JOePEOQBqQkpzJhcnGbl1GT4YVnnJw/s1600/ds+1392+soldier.JPG" /></a><br />
This miniature portrait is of an unknown soldier. The portrait is signed and dated 1915, but the signature is illegible. It appears to read something like "Augesety 1915", but I cannot find a similar name in Blattel. Any suggestions as to the name would be welcome.<br />
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I think he is French by the colour of his uniform. As he appears to have no rank badges, presumably he was only a private. If so, he is very well decorated for a private. It is a bit hard to tell the decorations he is wearing, but I believe the medal is the Legion de Honor. In addition he is wearing a red and green ribbon to the right of that decoration. I think this means that he had been awarded a second decoration, but the medal itself was not available, hence he only had the ribbon.<br />
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The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, on 19 May 1802. There are five grades of the Legion of Honor as below, and it looks as if he may have the ribbon bar of the second Grade, that of Officer;<br />
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg"><img alt="Legion Honneur GC ribbon.svg" height="28" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg/100px-Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg.png" width="100" /></a> <br />
Grand'croix<br />
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_GO_ribbon.svg"><img alt="Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg" height="28" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Legion_Honneur_GO_ribbon.svg/100px-Legion_Honneur_GO_ribbon.svg.png" width="100" /></a><br />
Grand Officier<br />
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_Commandeur_ribbon.svg"><img alt="Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg" height="28" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Legion_Honneur_Commandeur_ribbon.svg/100px-Legion_Honneur_Commandeur_ribbon.svg.png" width="100" /></a><br />
Commandeur<br />
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_Officier_ribbon.svg"><img alt="Legion Honneur Officier ribbon.svg" height="28" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Legion_Honneur_Officier_ribbon.svg/100px-Legion_Honneur_Officier_ribbon.svg.png" width="100" /></a><br />
Officier<br />
<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg"><img alt="Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg" height="28" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg/100px-Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg.png" width="100" /></a><br />
Chevalier<br />
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<a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ruban_de_la_Croix_de_guerre_1914-1918.PNG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914-1918.PNG" height="41" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Ruban_de_la_Croix_de_guerre_1914-1918.PNG/150px-Ruban_de_la_Croix_de_guerre_1914-1918.PNG" width="150" /></a>The colours of the second decoration appear to be red and green in horizontal bars. My knowledge of decorations is very weak, but red and green were the colours of the Croix de Guerre which was established on 2 April, 1915, so the date fits. However, the ribbon had vertical stripes, as this this example. Thus, it is either a separate decoration, or perhaps at the early stages of it being awarded in 1915, it had not been confirmed that the stripes should be vertical, and not horizontal. The <i>Croix</i> was created by a law of April 2, 1915, proposed by French deputy Émile Briant. The Croix reinstated an older system of mentions in dispatches, which were only administrative honours with no medal. The sculptor Paul-André Bartholomé created the medal, a bronze cross with swords, showing the effigy of the republic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIujSZz8l7SFnIzLAhe6m2hvXuG-NZb31Re8Ta9hMUrsmwaOOK0z2X5vS8r-c4LafVlgpj9EkDdaAa2hCfChbYZHbbeM9rQsypLKAfyqte5r6Hy2pbIsDtYDgEa9fSi1SaM0reQ/s1600/ds+1392+signature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIujSZz8l7SFnIzLAhe6m2hvXuG-NZb31Re8Ta9hMUrsmwaOOK0z2X5vS8r-c4LafVlgpj9EkDdaAa2hCfChbYZHbbeM9rQsypLKAfyqte5r6Hy2pbIsDtYDgEa9fSi1SaM0reQ/s320/ds+1392+signature.JPG" width="320" /></a> Expert opinion on his uniform and medals would be welcome, also any advice as to whether there is any faint prospect of identifying him. To have apparently been awarded both medals in 1915, and to have had his portrait painted the same year, suggests he had performed some heroic service.<br />
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If so, it is possible there is a photograph of him in French newspapers of 1915. 1392Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-1146006472362767612010-10-28T12:35:00.000-07:002010-10-28T12:35:17.922-07:00Unknown - bracelet portrait of lady<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCBopfsBIlsaIds0m6FDhyphenhyphenBGOyQuIi9KC_dop20VMMhPW3ifcDtp3USHi8XKucj7c1rqva06Qh7sxfrGXToijqOBPtFBozypVX7pi1Hp2am668Z1cIjc50oMJtZxMoJbJ7FRwdw/s1600/ds+1380+front+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCBopfsBIlsaIds0m6FDhyphenhyphenBGOyQuIi9KC_dop20VMMhPW3ifcDtp3USHi8XKucj7c1rqva06Qh7sxfrGXToijqOBPtFBozypVX7pi1Hp2am668Z1cIjc50oMJtZxMoJbJ7FRwdw/s320/ds+1380+front+view.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is a most unusual miniature portrait bracelet of an older lady. It is painted in enamel on porcelain, which was an uncommon technique, especially in the mid 19C.<br />
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It was a roundabout acquisition, as a visitor to my website asked me about it, as they thought it was American. I told them that I thought it was enamel on porcelain and probably German, and offered a fair price to buy it. However, the owner decided that as I had expressed interest, it must be worth a lot more than my offer, so they offered it on eBay with a high reserve. After a couple of unsuccessful auctions there where it did not reach reserve, the price was lowered and I was able to win it on eBay for a price a lot lower than I had originally offered the vendor. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4fXyOwHgUq5KfNsi50UxNWv0cHH5WM-gb3365Etrnfos95otP2JHn0GT1S0OMAGvuTgEsvhUtHYvjYTV7jkD_UHW-PmUbg7xc0JspkNjxsfwjS4j9Kq6NEAI5ATALWcj6DD69A/s1600/ds+1380+side+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4fXyOwHgUq5KfNsi50UxNWv0cHH5WM-gb3365Etrnfos95otP2JHn0GT1S0OMAGvuTgEsvhUtHYvjYTV7jkD_UHW-PmUbg7xc0JspkNjxsfwjS4j9Kq6NEAI5ATALWcj6DD69A/s320/ds+1380+side+view.JPG" width="320" /></a>I thought it was interesting as I had never seen a miniature in such a setting. There is a minor scratch on the right hand side which could be touched up. When it arrived, I found that the bracelet is made of silver, covered by gilt. I am still not certain about the origin. I am confident it is not American, but it may be that the painting itself was made in Germany, and the setting in England. Unfortunately, neither the sitter nor artist is known.<br />
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It was made for a very small hand, as it does not open, with the internal dimensions being only 60mm x 50mm. The portrait itself being 33mm x 42mm.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of other miniatures in the collection set as bracelets, but they have wristlet bands made of human hair. 1380Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-17359592372396264472010-07-08T16:42:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:53:36.020-07:00Bellet E - portrait of a lady<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOi-oPY-rji66P_VQeJR5o1TZIReF3Urva183qGovT30KSr8w3hrFc34dfkPzf5k29hUz6xWLSwQHimJP-6TTFVb9Ub12gTpCzSyTKz7BH7yWgxvSoYS4wMEBZ-vDVEFPIzKfAQ/s1600/ds+1383+Bellet.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOi-oPY-rji66P_VQeJR5o1TZIReF3Urva183qGovT30KSr8w3hrFc34dfkPzf5k29hUz6xWLSwQHimJP-6TTFVb9Ub12gTpCzSyTKz7BH7yWgxvSoYS4wMEBZ-vDVEFPIzKfAQ/s320/ds+1383+Bellet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685621761923714" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, to date it has not been possible to find out anything about the artist E Bellet. <br /><br />But the miniature portrait of a young lady is a very fine example, probably French and dating from 1900-1910.<br /><br />As can be seen in one image, the artist has also painted the reverse of the ivory base to give extra depth to the tones, without having extra layers of paint on the front of the ivory. <br /><br />Few artists bothered to do this, I would guess only one or two out of every hundred. 1383<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIYbQsKdOK6ds8XqdTQre8C8fgL8EUrNmVdnl5hw3m38-b4Q3Hfc3Xn_FKQ_ibMLywSFzLPc9f7NFJ8brn0jT-vbt8ca8Sf-uEKtI2t7p1VdJOWOHMGJ240P3-dCGEfCJvFQFoQ/s1600/ds+1383+closedress.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIYbQsKdOK6ds8XqdTQre8C8fgL8EUrNmVdnl5hw3m38-b4Q3Hfc3Xn_FKQ_ibMLywSFzLPc9f7NFJ8brn0jT-vbt8ca8Sf-uEKtI2t7p1VdJOWOHMGJ240P3-dCGEfCJvFQFoQ/s320/ds+1383+closedress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685614401289938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0iUvLlyTH1IOZdRDMPrmHwMQYRwMpfNc2Zg8IPg7Vx9XqRkgBxLoRrR3V6prN24VSNrcgXgpB2XaEp0GIVk4V36jKT06Fwr5R4_O0aPoG0uqUOtZZKfxVf6K1akjTLsldtxjWA/s1600/ds+1383+outofframe.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0iUvLlyTH1IOZdRDMPrmHwMQYRwMpfNc2Zg8IPg7Vx9XqRkgBxLoRrR3V6prN24VSNrcgXgpB2XaEp0GIVk4V36jKT06Fwr5R4_O0aPoG0uqUOtZZKfxVf6K1akjTLsldtxjWA/s320/ds+1383+outofframe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685610098155266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPayfGAF1G-uj126IVkYUE5OHdT5jYoQeeoL2CFgiBHZlpwWDCepmCoBjXoOKZ_gVnYog9HkAb_fgLZrkRQ5AI-RvqSgP_jn_Kiue8smDZQCY1QgJuJ1PqGhcOaNlyyJBr9Bu6Q/s1600/ds+1383+reverse+of+ivory.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPayfGAF1G-uj126IVkYUE5OHdT5jYoQeeoL2CFgiBHZlpwWDCepmCoBjXoOKZ_gVnYog9HkAb_fgLZrkRQ5AI-RvqSgP_jn_Kiue8smDZQCY1QgJuJ1PqGhcOaNlyyJBr9Bu6Q/s320/ds+1383+reverse+of+ivory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685606992438034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunvlz_HV7AQ1kZJMxaQ5T_iFKqlyRgBYJWVcuOLPjiiquaS2c3fvFnnK51hPjqFF6suAv7jarG7pTB13JH0sweGkclFU1cOKwc3p-IDwBtp6EqiHiR-AzOcebzRPpa3on79TUA/s1600/ds+1383+signature.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunvlz_HV7AQ1kZJMxaQ5T_iFKqlyRgBYJWVcuOLPjiiquaS2c3fvFnnK51hPjqFF6suAv7jarG7pTB13JH0sweGkclFU1cOKwc3p-IDwBtp6EqiHiR-AzOcebzRPpa3on79TUA/s320/ds+1383+signature.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491685598457557138" border="0" /></a>Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-16492956958567724342010-05-17T15:13:00.000-07:002010-06-09T15:20:41.966-07:00Brioso, Jose or Francisco - portait of an officer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQrXe2OBQQWHf3kucwKsRsGG8htRZQdGTAOXuAdai2GGkMQjeCcjkDb0dVUc_P7pDLvFV6zEaLQ0leiT8jUXNCg6LuLPc1A3eyQZUjhOUYXkpxkLqLSzUcy7o0J1tn0A-l3FhZA/s1600/ds+1373+Brioso_0002_NEW_0001.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQrXe2OBQQWHf3kucwKsRsGG8htRZQdGTAOXuAdai2GGkMQjeCcjkDb0dVUc_P7pDLvFV6zEaLQ0leiT8jUXNCg6LuLPc1A3eyQZUjhOUYXkpxkLqLSzUcy7o0J1tn0A-l3FhZA/s320/ds+1373+Brioso_0002_NEW_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472366455053871042" border="0" /></a>This fine miniature portrait of an unknown officer is signed "Brioso". It is either by Jose Brioso or Francisco Brioso.<br /><br />Little is known of Jose Brioso who was a Spanish artist. [I have been kindly advised by a Spanish collector that José Brioso is one of the leading Spanish miniaturists of the first half of the nineteenth century. Little is known of his life. He was born in Cadiz (Andalusia) and worked in Madrid during the reign of Isabel II. In 2009 a Spanish auction house sold the portrait of a lady, signed and dated 1845.]<br /><br />It does seem works by Brioso are rare as Schidlof does not mention him. Blattel refers to an artist F Brioso who was active 1835-1865 and is mentioned by Mariano Tomas in a 1953 book, "La Miniatura Retrato en Espana".<br /><br />Under the name Jose Brioso Y Ruiz, he seems to be the author of<a href="http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=1c3MBPENfNwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22jose+brioso%22+y+ruiz&source=bl&ots=fdKe0PQfBl&sig=hyRVp7EU6-KqI7XTjvLCjrv9dKw&hl=en&ei=kcfxS5DqGInEsQOP_pWFDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ6AEwAA"> Museo artístico y filosofía de la noble pintura: obra original - </a> which was published in Spanish in Cadiz in 1866. Although the book is about painting, it does not seem to mention miniatures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nx622CBNhXuvBAQSS3l1GUhLqXfJBvNl4e6WFnUI_lKPQEk3NAWYwCEwZodMjVO9aJoxXIT9G4uZPPR1OX1sw4VUZ0Pa_FjM0W3thE0IA1PZvs6HHJ_tyiBRRFKR8jR6ztS0hA/s1600/ds+1373+Brioso_0002_NEW.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Nx622CBNhXuvBAQSS3l1GUhLqXfJBvNl4e6WFnUI_lKPQEk3NAWYwCEwZodMjVO9aJoxXIT9G4uZPPR1OX1sw4VUZ0Pa_FjM0W3thE0IA1PZvs6HHJ_tyiBRRFKR8jR6ztS0hA/s320/ds+1373+Brioso_0002_NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472365976029945570" border="0" /></a>As can be seen, the quality is remarkable, and it seems surprising that he is not better known. In style the miniature is similar to those of the Italian artist Domenico Bossi.<br /><br />One unresolved issue is the likely date of the portrait. From the clothing and hairstyle, the miniature appears to date from around 1820. If so, it seems too early to be by Jose Brioso. That raises three possibilities;<br />1 The signature has been added<br />2 Brioso copied an earlier miniature<br />3 There were father and son artists, both named Brioso.<br /><br />The third alternative is possible, as the name Brioso seems connected to Cadiz for many years, including;<br />Jose Brioso Trujillo, born in Cadiz in 1724, son of Julian Brioso<br /><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()"> José Brioso (civil, a native of Cadiz in the Archdiocese of Seville) married to Maria Josefa, who was an early settler in Uruguay, South America c1763, see</span><a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=30&ved=0CEwQFjAJOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realidad.com.uy%2Fnoticias%2Findex.php%3FId%3D11580&ei=6vbxS_mzC4PgsQPM7un5Cw&usg=AFQjCNHjL91giXk_eY45mpME4nID1m3NSw&sig2=Ybl92KLD-kUqK1UKMkINSw" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','30','AFQjCNHjL91giXk_eY45mpME4nID1m3NSw','&sig2=Ybl92KLD-kUqK1UKMkINSw','0CEwQFjAJOBQ')"> Contribución española al poblamiento de Maldonado (siglo XVIII <b>...</b></a><br />Jose Brioso y Ruiz, of Cadiz, author of the above book in 1866<br />Jose Brioso del Ray, c1900, father of Jose Brioso del Val<br />Jose Brioso del Val, born in Cadiz 5 Jun 1931, son of Jose Brioso del Ray<br /><br />Now that this miniature has emerged, perhaps more will be learned about the family. 1373<br /><br />[Later - A kind Spanish collector has sent me the following information;<span id="result_box" class="long_text"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title=""><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In relation to the portrait by Brioso, the author of the book "Museo Artístico y Filosofía de la Noble Pintura", written by José Brioso y Ruiz in 1866, on page 6, when referring to Spanish painters of the past, including Madrazo, Rivera, etc. Brioso mentions his father ( </span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: italic;" title="">1). </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title=""><span style="font-style: italic;">In the footer below, it says: </span><em style="font-style: italic;">"Father of the author, an <strong>excellent miniaturist</strong> and assistant professor of drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts of Cadiz". </em></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: italic;" title="">His father and author of the miniature is Francisco Brioso, but do not know his middle name.</span></span>]<br /><br />A little research has revealed that The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Cadiz [<span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">La Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Cádiz </span></strong></span><a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uca.es%2Fweb%2Forganizacion%2Fhistoria%2Forigen1&ei=_hEQTNODLY-6NrvM-McK&usg=AFQjCNHegkkKhCwFd3ezTviW1M1i2Rpyzg&sig2=JyisWIP1VBY84EevbfuQOw" class="l vst" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','','1','AFQjCNHegkkKhCwFd3ezTviW1M1i2Rpyzg','JyisWIP1VBY84EevbfuQOw','0CBcQFjAA')"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Orígenes físicos - UCA.es Universidad de <em>Cádiz</em></a><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> ] </span></strong></span>was opened in 1789. It was a place where educational activities were developed to train goldsmiths and expert designers in drawing, so as to improve the quality of jewelry and luxury items, it was also the School of Silversmiths.Its first location was the magnificent Palace of Recaño in Sacramento and from 1842 was housed in a building, previously the convent of San Francisco in the Plaza de Mina, now the Museum of Cadiz.Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-77182916381566760072009-11-11T12:46:00.000-08:002009-11-12T12:55:27.783-08:00Theer, Robert - portrait of Ferdinand I of Austria<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfF2mfvhfpqm2sTZEOdhyphenhyphenwcWjQNM0N3Pq2PMowq-Hp5s1mMlsOn7NPRoRv4yMzuBj1t95H1raWg4tHT51fsEOpVJbijvCHFXc5GfUaMqL6IHyozSTbXZvrymNBPwcSA2jZO2R5w/s1600-h/ds+1370headclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfF2mfvhfpqm2sTZEOdhyphenhyphenwcWjQNM0N3Pq2PMowq-Hp5s1mMlsOn7NPRoRv4yMzuBj1t95H1raWg4tHT51fsEOpVJbijvCHFXc5GfUaMqL6IHyozSTbXZvrymNBPwcSA2jZO2R5w/s320/ds+1370headclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955027315710466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRLF0H2PwIKwezS5UoPHBY3EAvcPiJOcrIVr5zR6GLgLxjVwHTC1_1io1i2rUQkl6jUfig9SJgdBRaLVzYwI9cVLSU5OtQ0uPJ95Jmnxg6k_DClS2h7NbTI5wrdXJU7RU00SNcA/s1600-h/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRLF0H2PwIKwezS5UoPHBY3EAvcPiJOcrIVr5zR6GLgLxjVwHTC1_1io1i2rUQkl6jUfig9SJgdBRaLVzYwI9cVLSU5OtQ0uPJ95Jmnxg6k_DClS2h7NbTI5wrdXJU7RU00SNcA/s320/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955024499201794" border="0" /></a>Illustrating a dilemma faced by collectors of moderate means, is this miniature portrait which provides an excellent example. That is, should damaged miniatures be collected? In this instance, it can be seen there is some rubbing to the left of the sitter's face.<br /><br />However the sitter is a well known historical figure and the artist is important. Hence, whereas one can readily acquire unknown sitters, named sitters are more rare and in this case, the miniature seemed to be worth buying. It was fortunately obtained at a price which was a small fraction of what would prevail for a similar miniature in perfect condition. At some stage it would be desirable to have it restored, but as the condition is stable, that can be deferred.<br /><br />The sitter is Ferdinand I (19 April 1793 – 29 June 1875), Emperor of Austria, President of the German Confederation, King of Hungary, and associated dominions from the death of his father, Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, from 1835 until his abdication after the Revolutions of 1848.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienHi1bzO1I6k_QIoBqaGz5YUbvx56_EnTHo0E0GZEGdVFQNB5ypP5FW12xeE39N8_-_EuU_nm0u56EkaH228sJ-ADV7T0lyGipnCE_0xOxySeDqo6Lu8ksQ3In1dDkkGjZHfSCA/s1600-h/ds+1370+signature.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienHi1bzO1I6k_QIoBqaGz5YUbvx56_EnTHo0E0GZEGdVFQNB5ypP5FW12xeE39N8_-_EuU_nm0u56EkaH228sJ-ADV7T0lyGipnCE_0xOxySeDqo6Lu8ksQ3In1dDkkGjZHfSCA/s320/ds+1370+signature.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955037318279090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qkxhP6vim1bq-Hh_EAsYkMKpqnynOhGA6aL0gw1Ao0XfDkW_XvtUpEiei3jF0phlJ_KzvjBHNjVA49xvdVOabInkAJiQgbdgwrHfiLOO_T4X9LxTWsCH1kOVkWRqYe0_sGfILA/s1600-h/ds+1370+medalclose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qkxhP6vim1bq-Hh_EAsYkMKpqnynOhGA6aL0gw1Ao0XfDkW_XvtUpEiei3jF0phlJ_KzvjBHNjVA49xvdVOabInkAJiQgbdgwrHfiLOO_T4X9LxTWsCH1kOVkWRqYe0_sGfILA/s320/ds+1370+medalclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402955028642925746" border="0" /></a>He married Maria Anna of Savoy, the sixth child of Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia. They had no issue. Ferdinand was incapable of ruling his empire, so his father, before he died, drafted a will promulgating that he should consult Archduke Lewis on every aspect of internal policy, and urged him to be influenced by Prince Metternich, Austria's foreign minister.<br /><br />He abdicated on December 2, 1848. He was succeded by his nephew, Francis Joseph. Following his abdication, he lived in Hradčany Palace, Prague, until his death in 1875.<br /><br />Robert Theer (1808-1863), was the eldest of three brothers, all important miniature painters born in Johannisberg, Silesia and who all died in Vienna. Robert was a pupil of the famous artist Daffinger.<br /><br />The close ups show the skill of Theer, as the group of medals is less than 2cm across. 1370<br /><br />It is interesting, and unusual, to be able to compare three miniatures of the same sitter by the same artist. The originals are all 54mm x 38mm. The one in this collection shows him as the youngest, probably painted on his accession in 1835. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BhLoLomxqVtgLc6tr5sD_JOKWbYW0sgkD2y3Bb421cYEBXTkAZz12IYBqhXp5lCVDlLreB6NploeMsNlOWFDRzmpyKt3TBmdWbD-_pYRkkQ2jQUncYR8uSEH8vqHrAfmME6NwQ/s1600-h/theer12879a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BhLoLomxqVtgLc6tr5sD_JOKWbYW0sgkD2y3Bb421cYEBXTkAZz12IYBqhXp5lCVDlLreB6NploeMsNlOWFDRzmpyKt3TBmdWbD-_pYRkkQ2jQUncYR8uSEH8vqHrAfmME6NwQ/s200/theer12879a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402960717504994642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhqDd1XC5VWBLi7cnh5kD05Vx1exeSrtyEmCNBCJhz8V_MnBP2itORiNtuIyzX1HZZRldiqFc_YUsMVn0lAAaaN6SO4F943SKrfcrye7fo9zmrkjOippT5ZqsvKSVu-x-5vGtmA/s1600-h/albertina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhqDd1XC5VWBLi7cnh5kD05Vx1exeSrtyEmCNBCJhz8V_MnBP2itORiNtuIyzX1HZZRldiqFc_YUsMVn0lAAaaN6SO4F943SKrfcrye7fo9zmrkjOippT5ZqsvKSVu-x-5vGtmA/s200/albertina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402964425040500674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwRSgup6Udtupq66CXMBlobF2teeVd1PJ3P2MTpDds-2ai_yhIZpjXWOYcHqbuS4lGLAUu0ed4pU6XFUZiksjKDuRyhlt8urqA6EdvYNEl7iXo5R9CNnjVFitTejRZFGSJc8X9A/s1600-h/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwRSgup6Udtupq66CXMBlobF2teeVd1PJ3P2MTpDds-2ai_yhIZpjXWOYcHqbuS4lGLAUu0ed4pU6XFUZiksjKDuRyhlt8urqA6EdvYNEl7iXo5R9CNnjVFitTejRZFGSJc8X9A/s200/ds+1370+outofframe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402964559948709794" border="0" /></a>The second is in the Albertina Museum collection in Vienna and shows him around 1840. The third example shows him around the time of his abdication and, in late 2009 the prominent art dealer, Boris Wilnitsky, was offering it for sale for Euros 3000. See<br /><a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=8&ved=0CB0QFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wilnitsky.at%2Fscripts%2Fredgallery1.dll%2Fadvsearch%3Fk%3DEMPEROR%257CKING%26a%3D280%26ps%3D20&ei=wXX8Sr_AI4PwsQPFpL3wBg&usg=AFQjCNF8_cGUI9JCnR8g7_MFMI9AJ0IeMg&sig2=vVigk9LUI-aiJUVXc7eTUA" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','8','AFQjCNF8_cGUI9JCnR8g7_MFMI9AJ0IeMg','&sig2=vVigk9LUI-aiJUVXc7eTUA','0CB0QFjAH')">Boris <em>Wilnitsky</em> Fine Art - Homepage</a><br /><br />Miniatures like these were painted as diplomatic gifts in the days before photography and hence multiple examples often exist, varying slightly during the monarch's reign.Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-9230577488032446672009-06-10T20:56:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:01:01.474-07:00Rohl, Maria Christina - portraits of Ebbe Samuel and Anna BringMiniature portraits by Scandinavian artists are not often seen outside north Europe, thus this signed, dated, and identified, pair by Maria Christina Rohl are especially useful in comparing painting styles, and dating clothing for undated miniatures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXraHV-YgZjK3QRSiIoHONNnlnFgvV8Bed01kvS7xsQdLGru7YCJZw1mbiHtkwrYZHOZi0W9izneInqZJIsanLqfPV2fs3abFXjq3liOgds_nunxosABH5EpD0uE3J45m-SMipQ/s1600-h/ds+1369+her_portrait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXraHV-YgZjK3QRSiIoHONNnlnFgvV8Bed01kvS7xsQdLGru7YCJZw1mbiHtkwrYZHOZi0W9izneInqZJIsanLqfPV2fs3abFXjq3liOgds_nunxosABH5EpD0uE3J45m-SMipQ/s320/ds+1369+her_portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345916128790649106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99zTjnPRrDjwRiKbm9SLPLOrTNO_gQK1lrlGsGQWj6lJqY8nAbEunggQjxODAgoWUhP5mHAkDhiUJTyLmbAggennhPMP03BtW2IN_p5P4vL7QnTNK3oWo6RwUlgEQubOfi5hPqg/s1600-h/ds+1369+Him_view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99zTjnPRrDjwRiKbm9SLPLOrTNO_gQK1lrlGsGQWj6lJqY8nAbEunggQjxODAgoWUhP5mHAkDhiUJTyLmbAggennhPMP03BtW2IN_p5P4vL7QnTNK3oWo6RwUlgEQubOfi5hPqg/s320/ds+1369+Him_view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345916133803739490" border="0" /></a>Maria Rohl (26 July 1801-5 July 1875) is described as a Danish artist in some references, but according to Blattel she was born at Skonstavik in Sweden. She was a Swedish portrait artist who made portraits of a large number of well known people in Sweden in the first half of the 19th century. Her paintings are exhibited at the national museum Nationalmuseum in Stockholm. The Swedish Royal library has a collection of 1800 portraits. She was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts (1843) and a portrait artist of the royal court.<br /><br />Maria Röhl was born in Stockholm in a well-off family, but was left poor at the death of her parents in 1822. After first planning to become a governess, one of the few occupations then available to well-born but poor women, she was educated in drawing by the professor and engraver Christian Forsell and by the painter Alexander Hambré. She was taught to make quick and realistic portrait drawings in lead and chalk.<br /><br />She began to draw the friends of the Forsell family, where she lived, and soon it became fashionable in high sociaty to be portraited by "mamsell Röhl", and she was able to support herself as an artist. She was much employed by those who couldn't pay to be painted in oil, and drew a large number of famous Swedes of the time, both aristocrats and actors. She painted a portrait of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when he visited Stockholm in 1835. Maria Röhl did paint in oil, but the majority of her works are drawings in lead and chalk. Blattel notes that she also painted miniatures, but that may have only been during the early stages of her career, as with this pair painted in 1826.<br /><br />In 1843, Röhl was appointed court painter, and in 1843–1846, she studied in Paris at the studio of Leon Cogniet at the French academy of arts. After her return, she established her own studio at Brunkebergstorg in Stockholm. During her last years, as with many artists, photography became a harsh rival to her drawn portraits. She died in Stockholm.<br /><br />The sitters in the miniatures are Ebbe Samuel Bring (24 Jul 1785-20 Feb 1854) born Osajo, Kristianstad, Sweden, and his second wife Anna Maria Leche (1804-1877). They married on 23 August 1826 at Lund, Malmohus, Sweden. They had two daughters, Anna Sophia (18 January 1828-23 January 1828) and Ebba Wilhelmina Bring (1835-) born Lund, Malmohus, who married Niclas August Tengberg (26 Mar 1832-14 Nov 1870) in 1858, the son of N Tengberg and Augusta Charl Billquist.<br /><br />Although not certain, Ebbe Samuel Bring is thought to be the son of Ebbe Bring and Maria Halstrom, who also had a daughter, Ebba Maria Bring (2 Apr 1777-1855) who married Goran (Georg) Liebert Skytte of Satra (27 Jan 1767-25 May 1836). The Bring family had a number of noted scholars at Lund University. Ebbe Samuel Bring was a cousin of Ebbe Gustaf Bring (4 Jul 1814-1884), the son of Sven Haken Bring and Ulrika Sofia Silfversvard. Ebbe Gustaf Bring was a Swedish bishop, professor, theological writer, born July 4 1814 in Askersund, death in Linköping night between 12 and August 13 1884. He became a student in Uppsala in 1829 and in Lund in 1832, gaining a PhD at Lund in 1835, and being appointed to associate professor in dogmatism and moral theology in 1837. He married the same year. In 1844 he was appointed theology teacher and the same year to the dean of his own congregation. From 1839-1847 Ebbe Gustaf Bring almost continuously held various professorial positions in the theological faculty, and in 1848 he was appointed professor of pastoral theology, and in 1856 also to be the rector of Lund University, a position held at various times by other members of the Bring family. Ebbe Gustaf Bring prepared King Oscar II's three eldest sons for their first communion. In 1861 he was appointed Bishop of Linköping, which he retained until his death in 1884.<br /><br />Ebbe Samuel Bring was also a nephew of the mathematician Erland Samuel Bring (1736-1798 0r 1802?), who in 1750 became a student at Lund, passed the legal state examination in 1757, and was subsequently employed as a practical lawyer. In 1762 Ebbe Gustaf Bring became associate professor in the Faculty of Law and in 1765 the first holder of notarial activity at the university. In 1766 he became Master of Arts in 1770 and was appointed to the chair in history in 1779. Bring's activities in history were less significant than the actual field of his scientific interest in mathematics. The manuscript works, which he (seven volumes of the Lund University Library), are considered to show that he in many cases was ahead of his peers. His most famous work is "Meletemata quaedam mathematematica circa transformationem aequationum algebraicarum". He found a formula to reduce the general fifth degree equation;<br /><dl><dd><img class="tex" alt="\, Ax ^ 5 + bx ^ 4 + cx ^ 3 + dx ^ 2 + ex + f = 0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/a/a/8/aa8e4c9230e0e39785e8181a6a5da17f.png" /></dd></dl> to the much simpler form<br /><dl><dd><img class="tex" alt="\, X ^ 5 + px + q = 0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/3/9/e/39e980d927fd0f86f9d04564373e73b9.png" /> <span onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()"><span class="google-src-text" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left;">.</span> </span> </dd></dl>It looked as though it was a big step closer to a general solution of the fifth degree equation, but Erland Samuel Bring's formula remained basically unknown. Erland Samuel Bring was rector of Lund University in 1790.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8W-QgjB9e1Kh8p9dvxjC1oqyNJkntnSKB0NRhnYVA7Ta2ed9rwrPhdz6kzWrNv9RSXzZCjgmIlp7KNqGDIJaNYssMJgoMkrtl2XztNjcy5lVwCG1sv8fkmPov430A4JIMCpLsA/s1600-h/ds+1369+her_back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8W-QgjB9e1Kh8p9dvxjC1oqyNJkntnSKB0NRhnYVA7Ta2ed9rwrPhdz6kzWrNv9RSXzZCjgmIlp7KNqGDIJaNYssMJgoMkrtl2XztNjcy5lVwCG1sv8fkmPov430A4JIMCpLsA/s320/ds+1369+her_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345915229861512834" border="0" /></a>Anna Maria Leche, the wife of Ebbe Samuel Bring, was the daughter of Professor Wilhelm Julius Leche, the vicar of Kyrkheddinge, Esarps, Lund and also a schoolmaster. The Leche family seems to have lived in Malmohus since 1675 or earlier and it is likely that Anna Maria was related to the Johan Cornelius Leche who married Johanna Moller on 31 March 1792. It is also likely that she had several siblings or cousins, including, Jöns Gessel Leche (1794-?), Magnina Christina Leche (1798-?), and Magnus Christian Leche (1799-?). As Anna Maria was nineteen years younger than Ebbe Bring, it seems possible that one of her brothers was a student of Ebbe Bring and that is how they met. There is a collection of her letters, the "Anna Maria Bring letter collection", at Lund University.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrBfGgY1LqNIhVlPg981IUywg6whLgRYpHHCva2EkGiO35-qscgqmykf81i09c9Vr5PtEUa2_ywTR5VJ4n0c74072sw_XlwG2Riepay1NEVnxKvGCpUgm0KGLm0hHxxyJwN0FbA/s1600-h/250px-Grave_of_swedish_professor_ebbe_samuel_bring_lund_sweden.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrBfGgY1LqNIhVlPg981IUywg6whLgRYpHHCva2EkGiO35-qscgqmykf81i09c9Vr5PtEUa2_ywTR5VJ4n0c74072sw_XlwG2Riepay1NEVnxKvGCpUgm0KGLm0hHxxyJwN0FbA/s320/250px-Grave_of_swedish_professor_ebbe_samuel_bring_lund_sweden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346278972361500082" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZzh6odOichhm9gdbiT4JMMXTXR41ah-onvkdwq2IcfyEC_2t7CQ_8HJjL7LXe0-IMORqb8oOAezo57qkoGM9pIO2xQDEseHOvydHtSDIbL3zOlGJf8cUTVaqN8nnsRRFl4akkg/s1600-h/ds+1369+him_back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZzh6odOichhm9gdbiT4JMMXTXR41ah-onvkdwq2IcfyEC_2t7CQ_8HJjL7LXe0-IMORqb8oOAezo57qkoGM9pIO2xQDEseHOvydHtSDIbL3zOlGJf8cUTVaqN8nnsRRFl4akkg/s320/ds+1369+him_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345915231556350050" border="0" /></a>Ebbe Samuel Bring MA, became a student in Lund in 1798, when only 13 years old, he gained his Master of Arts in 1808 and became Associate Professor of History in 1809. After a time, having studied medicine, he studied law, passing in 1815 his Law degree. In 1819 he became curate of Kriminallagfarenhet and 1821 Matthaeus Fremlings successor as professor of theoretical philosophy. In 1828 he was appointed professor of history, a post he held until his death. In 1841 he received sacerdotal ordination, was then pastor of Bjärshögs and Oxie prebendepastorat. He was twice rector of Lund University in Sweden, in the years 1830-31 and 1840-41. He died in 1855 and is buried at the Monastery Cemetery in Lund. <br /><br />Ebbe Samuel Bring was also an author. His printed writings consists mainly of a very large number of academic dissertations and numerous political brochures. Books or papers, written by Ebbe Samuel Bring, as author or co-author, are thought to include;<br />- <span style="font-style: italic;">Svenska civillagfarenheten, uti systematisk ordning</span>, 1819<br />- <i>De veterum Suecorum et Gothorum præcipuis, quæ rempublicam spectant, , institutis Disquisitio Historica. Sectio Prima</i>, 1823<br />- <span style="font-style: italic;">Prolusiones antiquariae</span>, 1827<br /><i>- Historica in difficiliores aliquot Herodoti locos adnotamenta</i>, 1829<br />- <i>Om statsförfattningen och krigsväsendet hos de fordna svear och göther. </i>1-10. Diss. resp. F.O. Cöster, N. Hemesse, A. Brunnerus, P.E.G. Gullander, O.B. Rosenblad, A.G. Schröder, A. Andersson, P.D. Rudelius, I. Tollin, R. Wollin, 1832.<br />- <i>Om Stat, Statsförfattning och Representation med afseende på Sverige</i>, 1834<br />- <i>Bibliografisk handbok till Sveriges historia</i>,<br />- <i>De ingenti Franco - Gallorum regis , Henrici IV:ti consilio, vulgo: Le grandessein de Henri IV. P. I - V</i>, 1835<br /><br />(1369A and 1369B)Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-75605726997744094902008-09-02T14:23:00.000-07:002009-05-01T14:59:11.381-07:00Unknown - portrait of Karl III of Pfalz-Zweibrucken<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcZ5u-Dv15gJCq6i3VIw71J_MLMKTeUR8C21xsvxBZUiR41oekPKhMA3uaduSQy5L5TqgJwclFtaGtkYJ-aNQjGZVbJcYtBfxRLjRpQKsKEqNMTldDlGaA0FWmnH4QtHt0LUadw/s1600-h/aus1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcZ5u-Dv15gJCq6i3VIw71J_MLMKTeUR8C21xsvxBZUiR41oekPKhMA3uaduSQy5L5TqgJwclFtaGtkYJ-aNQjGZVbJcYtBfxRLjRpQKsKEqNMTldDlGaA0FWmnH4QtHt0LUadw/s320/aus1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241538520071128194" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Karl III von der Pfalz-Zweibrucken</span><br /><br />When first acquired, there was doubt about the identity of the sitter in this miniature by an unknown artist, which is set into the top of a late 18C snuff box. A kind visitor has now been able to supply his identity, which is gratefully received. He is Karl (or Carl) III Duke of Palatinate-Zweibrücken (Pfalz-Zweibrücken) who lived from 1746 to 1795. Confusingly, he sometimes described himself as Karl II.<br /><br />He was the older brother of Max Joseph, the first King of Bavaria. His life is described in German at <a href="http://www.saarpfalz-kreis.de/buergerservice/informationen/auf_einen_blick/geschichte/1553.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.saarpfalz-kreis.de/buergerservice/informationen/auf_einen_blick/geschichte/1553.htm" rel="nofollow">Biografische Notiz</a> and the following is an attempt to translate that into English. "On the one hand he was considered as very interested in music and the builder of a large castle with splendid gardens and a rich art collection. But on the other hand, he was described as a despotic ruler, who lived far beyond his financial resources, without considering the needs of his subjects. In particular his passion for the hunt near his castle caused displeasure and protests by the rural population, about harvest damage from the hunt for wild animals. Thus his personality is still disputed.<br /><br />In 1775 he succeeded his uncle Christian IV, as Duke of Zweibrucken. In the spring of 1776 he moved from his Zweibrücken palace to a new residence at Jägersburg near Sanddorf. At Karlsberg he expressed the expectation, that from his power and his protected situation, he would have a weighty role to play in European policy, as he had the prospect of inheriting Kurpfalz and Bavaria in the background.<br /><br />However, the French revolution, and the French invasion into German territories destroyed this hope in 1793 and, on 9 February, Karl III August fled before the French troops, who at the end of July 1793 burned his castle down to the foundations. As the last Zweibrücken duke, he died at Mannheim 1795.<br /><br />Another portrait where he is described as Karl III August Christian Pfalzgraf von<br />Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken can be seen on page 2 at <br /><pre wrap=""><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.pastellists.com/Articles/LAUER.pdf">http://www.pastellists.com/Articles/LAUER.pdf</a></pre><br />Information about the two discounted sitters has been left below, just for interest. They are Elector Karl Theodor of Bavaria (Dec 1724-16 Feb 1799) and Count Rumford, an interesting American who warrants some attention due to his association with Karl Theodor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAq3VTFLjqNSmRB00tAkcN-sCTqmoer2qNM9Osijyhz9oYsvdT97Y3CTgduQmYF3avNUbjRxt3SSMDTnvPxzfWUjOYiGsOzxcZJGcvY8YGQVznWzc3Mn505qFsUxxaQpAkY6ukw/s1600-h/elector.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAq3VTFLjqNSmRB00tAkcN-sCTqmoer2qNM9Osijyhz9oYsvdT97Y3CTgduQmYF3avNUbjRxt3SSMDTnvPxzfWUjOYiGsOzxcZJGcvY8YGQVznWzc3Mn505qFsUxxaQpAkY6ukw/s400/elector.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241586438926729858" border="0" /></a>Apart from the different colour of lapels on the front of his uniform jacket, the image in the miniature is fairly similar to the enamel miniature of Charles Theodore by Langenhoeffel showing here, which is in the Orange-Nassau Collection of the Dutch Royal Family.<br /><br />A kind military expert has identified the uniform as that of a lieutenant-general in the Bavarian army.<br /><br />The name of Karl Theodor translates into English in various forms including Carl Theodor and Charles Theodore, with "The Wordsworth Handbook of Kings & Queens" listing him as Charles IV Theodore, Elector Wittelsbach of the Palatinate (from 1742-1799) (Duke of Salsbach; eleventh in descent from Rupert III). Then he also became Elector of Bavaria after the union of Bavaria and Salsbach in 1777.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP2rxBHSsOlEL6rYaotAY4_8RdP4GxFkpEjdasJDG5z9ptBnNeyKOeWDW47HCX6xGtlQcGkPrwxwCX9Da3kPvyMM7nbvx1tX8BAVa0fq4IuMmHFcnCT4EK82WXEsy1YNPI-wL1w/s1600-h/aus2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP2rxBHSsOlEL6rYaotAY4_8RdP4GxFkpEjdasJDG5z9ptBnNeyKOeWDW47HCX6xGtlQcGkPrwxwCX9Da3kPvyMM7nbvx1tX8BAVa0fq4IuMmHFcnCT4EK82WXEsy1YNPI-wL1w/s320/aus2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241538520336714274" border="0" /></a> A kind visitor has been able to identify and supply images of the two decorations.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The sitter is wearing the two highest Bavarian Orders.<br /><br />The breastplate on the top is that of a knight of the Bavarian Order of St Hubertus. It is the highest Bavarian order. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The one below is that of a commander of the second highest Bavarian Order, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">that of St George."</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS51y8FKquioDnqqXJLvPnTlafiwM6YD5uRH49YAD3h1UxU7RU__2Eo1NAGXQ23fhfgOmqP1AJWBOrXd3eVEQJvIRpVvA-zteo84rtV-F-jTYiKlxAcrStksnKCVtUYSfAoHoPyA/s1600-h/sheltonorders.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS51y8FKquioDnqqXJLvPnTlafiwM6YD5uRH49YAD3h1UxU7RU__2Eo1NAGXQ23fhfgOmqP1AJWBOrXd3eVEQJvIRpVvA-zteo84rtV-F-jTYiKlxAcrStksnKCVtUYSfAoHoPyA/s320/sheltonorders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241538522843075810" border="0" /></a> Carl Theodor did wear these two decorations, but the visitor has observed that the sitter is depicted with no epaulettes, no sashes of the relevant orders, no Golden Fleece, and a simple military uniform instead of Gala.<br /><br />However, apart from the lapel colours, the uniform does appear similar to the Orange-Nassau portrait.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Count Rumford and the miniature</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBQp6AlQci4evLLtzsexD1BuWPPpi_lubnYxmymjZVLCnxLNNlIjgxn5l62Ap3uFAfg5S2fg_PEN20Pm_wxtWuRwqva4TB-JcTifRx1u6EHafM1sRWWN01aahVv95gonjMlh1LQ/s1600-h/rumford1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBQp6AlQci4evLLtzsexD1BuWPPpi_lubnYxmymjZVLCnxLNNlIjgxn5l62Ap3uFAfg5S2fg_PEN20Pm_wxtWuRwqva4TB-JcTifRx1u6EHafM1sRWWN01aahVv95gonjMlh1LQ/s320/rumford1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241585957185948674" border="0" /></a>Another less likely identification is that the miniature represents Count Rumford (1753-1814).<br /><br />He was an American born as Benjamin Thompson in Woburn Massachusetts, who served as an aide to Karl Theodor in the late 18C.<br /><br />Rumford is shown here as a younger man in a painting by Thomas Gainsborough from 1783 which has some similarities, although thinner and younger.<br /><br />Rumford was an aide to Karl Theodor between 1785 and 1796, so it could possibly be him and painted around 1795. As all men of importance wore wigs at the time, it can be quite difficult to identify sitters in 18C portraits.<br /><br />The dating fits and the sitter is wearing a white uniform. As mentioned below by a kind visitor, some Bavarian cavalry units wore white uniforms. Rumford was appointed a major-general in the Bavarian cavalry in 1785.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sEoKV1fuhUh5EKMzMOX1jdJLYxAHk_4YxNSppzooaaXlA3shpHl1DL3DDoNuEnq4ixrq63PMgzHuVIGDmJIl73jy4cet67EIvVTCZkc4SUwZtPgKxfrZCqTVDrJnGGeWnz7qiQ/s1600-h/434px-Benjamin_Thompson_1872_painting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sEoKV1fuhUh5EKMzMOX1jdJLYxAHk_4YxNSppzooaaXlA3shpHl1DL3DDoNuEnq4ixrq63PMgzHuVIGDmJIl73jy4cet67EIvVTCZkc4SUwZtPgKxfrZCqTVDrJnGGeWnz7qiQ/s320/434px-Benjamin_Thompson_1872_painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241604313977796050" border="0" /></a> Identification as Rumford could also explain the absence of some items of uniform decoration, that might otherwise have been expected on a uniform if it was worn by Karl Theodor.<br /><br />Currently, it is not known whether Rumford was awarded the two decorations appearing on the uniform. From the later image, he may have been awarded at least one of them, although the decorations are not mentioned on the frontispiece of a book by him, which gives a list of his various titles, including his being a Lieutenant-General.<br /><br />Also shown here is a painting said to date from 1872, which is well after Rumford died in 1814. It does not look to be early 19C in style and thus it may be an artist's impression of Rumford, not a copy of an actual portrait. See http://www.yeoldewoburn.net/rumford1.JPG<br /><br />The actual miniature shown above, was acquired within USA, rather than Germany, and was purchased at not a great distance from Concord MA, where Rumford's daughter returned to live.<br /><br />Count Rumford is discussed in more detail below.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bavarian Uniforms</span><br /><br />Another kind visitor has also provided the following comments about Bavarian uniforms of the 18C.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"However, so far as I know, the Bavarian general officers' uniform was blue, not white. It was either dark blue, or a medium blue called cornflower blue - there is some dispute about which shade of blue Bavarians wore in the 18th century though they were definitely cornflower blue by Napoleonic times.<br /><br />So the question is: why is your man in white? Well, several possible answers. Maybe he is wearing a cavalry uniform (some Bavarian cavalry units had white coats). Or possibly he is wearing a Holy Roman Empire uniform (I note that he was not only Duke of Bavaria, but also from the Palatinate (called Pfalz in German) - there were smaller armies in the Holy Roman Empire, including from Pfalz, all of which made up together what was called the Reichsarmee. Some of these little armies wore white - I'm not sure if Pfalz did or did not, though. Also, the Austrians and French did wear white.<br /><br />So far as the coloured panels are concerned, these are called 'lapels'. Together with the 'cuffs' and the 'turnbacks' (the triangles formed by turning back the coat-tails), these together were called 'distinctives' or (later) 'facings'. The colours of the distinctives were used to differentiate one regiment from another. For instance, all Bavarian infantry regiments wore identical blue uniform coats, but had different coloured facings to distinguish them, such as red, white, yellow, black or buff. General officers also sometimes had facings, which were usually a specified colour, with their rank distinguished by the amount of gold braid on them.<br /><br />So your man is either wearing uniforms from two separate units or countries - or possibly the colour of the facings had changed in some sort of uniform reorganisation between the time of the two portraits." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More on Karl Theodor</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVWQC91GFFpeA9T2ITdNnYhJ6UXvsPBRGfKiufdbL8RWKepGcoGldmr5GoKWz797pfuHZhsA8BvQ92nJfe5_zfpzqGZxb2yCG_f0Yl3eG_01Kwzi5NnMR3RBOaLmNIMqFEmu6Zw/s1600-h/300px-Schloss_Ma_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVWQC91GFFpeA9T2ITdNnYhJ6UXvsPBRGfKiufdbL8RWKepGcoGldmr5GoKWz797pfuHZhsA8BvQ92nJfe5_zfpzqGZxb2yCG_f0Yl3eG_01Kwzi5NnMR3RBOaLmNIMqFEmu6Zw/s400/300px-Schloss_Ma_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241552538891815458" border="0" /></a> When Karl Theodor inherited the Palatinate in 1742, the Mannheim Palace was still incomplete.<br /><br />Construction had commenced in 1720. As with most public buildings before and since, it took much longer and cost a lot more than intended.<br /><br />The building process was to cost about 300,000 Gulden and be financed by an extraordinary “palace tax”, but in the end, the palace cost about 2,000,000 Gulden and severely worsened the Palatinate's financial situation. The first administrative institutions began using the palace in 1725, but the court only transferred to the new residence in 1731. Construction was not completed until 1760.<br /><br />During Karl Theodor's reign, the palace and the city of Mannheim saw their zenith. The glamour of the Elector's court and Mannheim's then famous cultural life lasted until 1778, when Karl Theodor became Elector of Bavaria by inheritance and he moved his court to Munich. Although Mannheim kept the title of “residence”, the palace was used merely as accommodation for several administrative bodies.<br /><br />On the union with Bavaria Karl Theodor instantly managed to make everyone in Bavaria his enemy by proposing to Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790) of Austria that they exchange parts of Bavaria for some Austrian possessions, along the Rhine and in Belgium and close to Karl's dominions; the Palatinate, Jülich and Berg.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20281%20bencini.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20281%20bencini.jpg" border="0" /></a> There is a miniature portrait of Joseph II of Austria in this collection, see<br /><a href="http://european-miniatures2.blogspot.com/2006/04/bencini-antionio-portrait-of-jospeh-ii.html">Bencini, Antionio - portrait of Joseph II</a> Joseph II was the brother of Marie Antoinette.<br /><br />The ensuing diplomatic crisis over the proposed exchange led to the outbreak of the War of the Bavarian Succession. At the ensuing Peace of Teschen in 1779 it was resolved that Karl's descendants would not inherit the throne of Bavaria.<br /><br />Karl Theodor never became popular as ruler of Bavaria. In the following years, he constantly tried without success to exchange the ducal lands of Bavaria for the Austrian Netherlands and a royal crown, and he never managed to control the mounting social tensions in Bavaria.<br /><br />Karl Theodor was a great lover of the arts, including drama and especially music. His Mannheim court orchestra was considered one of the finest in its time.<br /><br />Mozart applied for a position with the Mannheim orchestra in 1777, but was turned down, as the court was about to move to Munich. In 1780, Karl Theodor commissioned Idomeneo from the composer. Mozart quotes him as saying "No music has ever made such an impression on me. It is magnificent." (David Cairns, Mozart and his operas, 2006, p.48)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrljQHBqfCWyvLRmYY6VwIDLAmg-0Lta2-vKa6gLP9uNNKHo5N-DnqWiHU_ZKy4xA6uENAMQ1XoCxvdMzKlkzRegDrUKcj8zYLinh3zzKgWpKKKks0Nag6qMMJu-m41BrtO4Flw/s1600-h/MUC+Munich+-+an+arm+of+the+Isar+River+flowing+through+the+English+Garden+3008x2000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrljQHBqfCWyvLRmYY6VwIDLAmg-0Lta2-vKa6gLP9uNNKHo5N-DnqWiHU_ZKy4xA6uENAMQ1XoCxvdMzKlkzRegDrUKcj8zYLinh3zzKgWpKKKks0Nag6qMMJu-m41BrtO4Flw/s400/MUC+Munich+-+an+arm+of+the+Isar+River+flowing+through+the+English+Garden+3008x2000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241562384569566050" border="0" /></a>Despite the mutual dislike and distrust between him and his Bavarian subjects, Karl Theodor left a distinctive mark on the city of Munich; it was under his reign that the "English Garden", Munich's largest park, was created and the city's old fortifications were dismantled to make place for a modern, expanding city.<br /><br />The English Garden with 417 hectares, is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, even larger than Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. See <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schloesser.bayern.de%2Fenglisch%2Fgarden%2Fobjects%2Fmu_engl1.htm&ei=usO9SNDPCajeigH5muGPCA&usg=AFQjCNHEoSAj32YV2s_SDoMO-Um1uGkPZg&sig2=W5-H8bLV1v7uNq97uvb1Wg" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNHEoSAj32YV2s_SDoMO-Um1uGkPZg','&sig2=W5-H8bLV1v7uNq97uvb1Wg')"><em>Bavarian</em> Palace Department | Gardens | Munich <em>English Garden</em></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More on Count Rumford</span><br /><br />The choice of the name, the English Garden and its design, seem to be due to an American born in Woburn Massachusetts!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHoU-mHhqXOjFkuvCVmuB4MnwzOUIy-HtJiZjtbOdkBuqhpVaT5NNenvCaBtBiW-x5Np-vgdvJ7qKOMdqrsE6kDqIR2stXVcaDE6QgRJ1dZ-zrM35gyXXs3-1QQaodnJIU_cnQ/s1600-h/6bd7_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHoU-mHhqXOjFkuvCVmuB4MnwzOUIy-HtJiZjtbOdkBuqhpVaT5NNenvCaBtBiW-x5Np-vgdvJ7qKOMdqrsE6kDqIR2stXVcaDE6QgRJ1dZ-zrM35gyXXs3-1QQaodnJIU_cnQ/s320/6bd7_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241678811708250306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKiKuZVhCBOJ301HwLbmL8o4-zNevxkcp1xT5ns62-jc4rt_NrTx7HnpY6dCW6gvSZFCuG-iYKZnLfG4p234K4fiLLzI3M5zjHBuQRcGOjuz0fBNw-FYvHJaJy0d3s6hek2FmCg/s1600-h/rumford04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKiKuZVhCBOJ301HwLbmL8o4-zNevxkcp1xT5ns62-jc4rt_NrTx7HnpY6dCW6gvSZFCuG-iYKZnLfG4p234K4fiLLzI3M5zjHBuQRcGOjuz0fBNw-FYvHJaJy0d3s6hek2FmCg/s320/rumford04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241571559616538386" border="0" /></a> Count Rumford is shown on the left as a statue erected in Munich in 1867, and on the right in an exact replica from the same casting which was donated to the citizens of Woburn, MA by Marshall Tidd in 1900.<br /><br />Although few people today remember Rumford's name, he had some famous admirers, including FDR.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Many-sided men,” Franklin Delano Roosevelt told an interviewer in 1932, “have always attracted me. I have always had the keenest interest in five men … of comparatively modern times.” They were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon, Theodore Roosevelt, and Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Of Roosevelt’s list, the last named is the only one not now a household word.</span> See <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americanheritage.com%2Farticles%2Fmagazine%2Fah%2F1993%2F5%2F1993_5_68.shtml&ei=h9G9SPG2DIOEiAGy7fWOCA&usg=AFQjCNH1qRnLO2C1HeIuesDvjmaPXNyD7w&sig2=NuYGhOY5D4AXRYOp3qnGgg" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNH1qRnLO2C1HeIuesDvjmaPXNyD7w','&sig2=NuYGhOY5D4AXRYOp3qnGgg')">AmericanHeritage.com / <em>Rumford</em></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k32SrTR9jKMGpvQF0yyKb1bwLxk8SEUBys_ycfIEyZeC-dGKZsDU9DCmUxldDtkETDMtPgPWW-HWYls00N4lY3856upp3d2CIB6wQRDlN7nWl37jdZN3ZNGrJOgxx4hX3InsOA/s1600-h/300px-Count_Rumford's_crade,_in_Benjamin_Thompson_birthplace.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k32SrTR9jKMGpvQF0yyKb1bwLxk8SEUBys_ycfIEyZeC-dGKZsDU9DCmUxldDtkETDMtPgPWW-HWYls00N4lY3856upp3d2CIB6wQRDlN7nWl37jdZN3ZNGrJOgxx4hX3InsOA/s320/300px-Count_Rumford's_crade,_in_Benjamin_Thompson_birthplace.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241638755494195218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJ3WAVRdTuLR_mRzRxvp55lOYEohg4LKsILz4PS2phx3UzP8fZEYmvzGRjdnQaogWx_tVDmQkYWxmGWBxxhizM7lqDNoRgfr-SE-_6wMDq4r0KG5EradcGeld_jW1rG_7-I5XRg/s1600-h/235px-Benjamin_Thompson_Birthplace,_Woburn,_Massachusetts.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJ3WAVRdTuLR_mRzRxvp55lOYEohg4LKsILz4PS2phx3UzP8fZEYmvzGRjdnQaogWx_tVDmQkYWxmGWBxxhizM7lqDNoRgfr-SE-_6wMDq4r0KG5EradcGeld_jW1rG_7-I5XRg/s400/235px-Benjamin_Thompson_Birthplace,_Woburn,_Massachusetts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241637741629760146" border="0" /></a> Rumford was born Benjamin Thompson (26 Mar 1753-1814) in this house which still retains his cradle, although one wonders whether its exterior color is original!<br /><br />Apprenticeships in the importing trade and the study of medicine absorbed much of his young life until at the age of 19 he became a schoolmaster in Concord (earlier called Rumford) N.H. There he met and married a wealthy widow, Mrs. Sarah Rolf, who was also the daughter of Reverend Timothy Walker. In this position of influence, young Thompson met Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire who was impressed enough to name him Major in the 2nd Provincial Regiment.<br /><br />This commission, awarded to him over older men, and his continued contacts with influential British officers, such as General Gage in Boston, set him in the center of controversy. In 1774 a committee of Concord citizens charged him with “being unfriendly to the cause of liberty.” Though acquitted, he felt the atmosphere so inimical that he returned to Woburn and to the home of his mother where he was joined by his wife and infant daughter.<br /><br />Then as a loyalist he left for England in March 1776. In England his scientific career prospered. While serving in the Government Colonial Office his scientific study and experiments, particularly with gunpowder, were so successful that he was elected in 1779, at the age of 26, to the prestigious Royal Society. He was knighted as Sir Benjamin Thompson in 1784.<br /><br />In 1785 he was appointed by Karl Theodor as Major-General of Cavalry and Privy Councillor of Bavaria. Thompson worked in Bavaria for over ten years and in recognition of his assistance, Karl Theodor created him Count Rumford on 9 May 1792.<br /><br />Thompson thus had spent over a decade in Bavaria, where he:<br />• Reorganized the army<br />• Invented a special soup for the poor<br />• Taught Bavarians to cultivate potatoes<br />• Invented wax candles<br />• Built the English Garden<br />• Invented the double-boiler and the drip coffee-maker<br />• Published An Experimental Enquiry Concerning the Source of the Heat which is Excited by Friction, a tract that overturned conventional scientific wisdom<br />• Became a Count of the Holy Roman Empire<br />• Invented thermal underwear<br /><br />Rumford wrote many papers and also some books. At the end of the 18C many items were published in a set of three volumes; "ESSAYS, Political, Economical, and Philosophical" by Benjamin Count of Rumford, where he described himself as: Knight of the Orders of the White Eagle, and St. Stanislaus; Chamberlain, Privy Counsellor of State, and Lieutenant-General in the Service of his Most Serene Highness the Elector Palatine, Reigning DUKE of BAVARIA; Colonel of his Regiment of Artillery, and Commander in Chief of the General Staff of his Army; FRS. Acad. R. Hiber. Berol. Elec. Boic(oe). Palat. etc. et Amer. Soc. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSjWCu1a1GXR8gzzdxO6liHYHCQ3ms5hUBDhcgf0OAHUZWGBEayZZRIMiYza2h7qSeqssQW6indzw-KqHbnZ3ridsrJ7GEaZAKCzNdoAxsReg0BYpW-SsC0C3vfqVrWIK1Qs1QQ/s1600-h/book1_1_b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSjWCu1a1GXR8gzzdxO6liHYHCQ3ms5hUBDhcgf0OAHUZWGBEayZZRIMiYza2h7qSeqssQW6indzw-KqHbnZ3ridsrJ7GEaZAKCzNdoAxsReg0BYpW-SsC0C3vfqVrWIK1Qs1QQ/s200/book1_1_b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241681833933630786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpupwKwpDpuoHFpl98qY7qH2bGIjtSJ49TaMPOBa75jUCO_vr2uLl6tEjFrcjBC9_34GDLlbe4jaojeXRsnPrAcNsayBQcozdKd7IizP1Fed_GfgqXfsvQtH2yQDymxKhctC7bQ/s1600-h/book2Jacket.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpupwKwpDpuoHFpl98qY7qH2bGIjtSJ49TaMPOBa75jUCO_vr2uLl6tEjFrcjBC9_34GDLlbe4jaojeXRsnPrAcNsayBQcozdKd7IizP1Fed_GfgqXfsvQtH2yQDymxKhctC7bQ/s200/book2Jacket.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241681834366267922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl35sgsvinrYinSKyAYF-6Nbui9jCt32TewlvEchHUt2vBlF9J1s5OO-X4a-WyNerf9g9TzihLBU5FeW_Fu58iIli2WnafRgMPCUcK5Q7gbdVPT5P9ZFbjiTsP1BK6lU8GTfodiA/s1600-h/book3_8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl35sgsvinrYinSKyAYF-6Nbui9jCt32TewlvEchHUt2vBlF9J1s5OO-X4a-WyNerf9g9TzihLBU5FeW_Fu58iIli2WnafRgMPCUcK5Q7gbdVPT5P9ZFbjiTsP1BK6lU8GTfodiA/s200/book3_8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241681838092495618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFU0DeAO4oLujQ6j51TGmm21KL6gY06WFLClIwGh_LfHgHZLq73cYTin1IX7CIqs0AC1eTxA1HPzwtpfjRMf_AqaBZb_1Oft4V8PPeITcMZXkG2ULKVmsAeHoBw20rfSTOZVy-Q/s1600-h/book430594695.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFU0DeAO4oLujQ6j51TGmm21KL6gY06WFLClIwGh_LfHgHZLq73cYTin1IX7CIqs0AC1eTxA1HPzwtpfjRMf_AqaBZb_1Oft4V8PPeITcMZXkG2ULKVmsAeHoBw20rfSTOZVy-Q/s200/book430594695.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241681838285134642" border="0" /></a>Several of books have been written about Count Rumford and his discoveries, including a cookbook and a book about fireplaces.<br /><br />For example the introduction to the cookbook comments; <span style="font-style: italic;">"After a century and a half, he is honored today as the grand master of the great guild of chefs, the first and greatest scientist of the kitchen.<br /><br />He was the first to study diet; to invent an effective oven, and roaster, and tea kettle, and boiler; to advocate drip coffee; to suggest holes in the handles of pots and pans so they can be hung up; to analyze fuels and the management of heat; to devise the modern air-tight stove; to lay out efficient kitchens; to reason about the construction of oven doors and thereby open up the great field of insulation."<br /><br />“My principal design,” he said, “is to fix the attention of my readers on a subject which is highly interesting and deserving of the most serious consideration. I wish to inspire cooks with a just idea of the importance of their art. In what other art could improvements be made that would more powerfully contribute to the enjoyments of mankind?”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rumford Medal and Rumford Prize</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_NTpnZ1G9VtbQI5ytcYTpYzEqjKwFUjv0NWPgFesZi6A9uTCaMX5vBi-FJN9f3khn0374yPsxUpufCCD-3UUH4bloSHOpVzcJ8q3lp8wS7p3OQ96BeD2AbQkOosyu6FYqp1pTg/s1600-h/Rumford+medal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_NTpnZ1G9VtbQI5ytcYTpYzEqjKwFUjv0NWPgFesZi6A9uTCaMX5vBi-FJN9f3khn0374yPsxUpufCCD-3UUH4bloSHOpVzcJ8q3lp8wS7p3OQ96BeD2AbQkOosyu6FYqp1pTg/s400/Rumford+medal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241620167796394194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kD_4GdzFRUszC2EHyvD9W10SozUmnuBj7_o-1qHlAm_mFY8kLkx_Caxlg0pkoDBX3L5Tqoup1i-l2yr0f8n4yGxVas_dzBM-oRDd5ErP-zFUrl-6UrQ_aNT5b4sPocJAsTU_kA/s1600-h/rumfordmedal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kD_4GdzFRUszC2EHyvD9W10SozUmnuBj7_o-1qHlAm_mFY8kLkx_Caxlg0pkoDBX3L5Tqoup1i-l2yr0f8n4yGxVas_dzBM-oRDd5ErP-zFUrl-6UrQ_aNT5b4sPocJAsTU_kA/s320/rumfordmedal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241584657054172130" border="0" /></a> Count Rumford in 1796, gave $5,000 each to the Royal Society of Great Britain and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to award medals every two years for outstanding scientific research on heat or light.<br /><br />The American Academy of Arts and Sciences awards the Rumford Prize, while the Royal Society awards the Rumford Medal. A picture of the Rumford Medal is shown above.<br /><br />Also shown is another medal with a portrait of Rumford, but it seems unlikely the latter is based on a contemporary portrait of Rumford, as the collar of the uniform looks to date from 1805 or even later. By then Rumford had been out of the military for some years. It is a commemorative medal by Moritz Furst issued by the AAAS in 1951, see <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.middlesexcanal.org%2Fdocs%2Frumford.htm&ei=Pf29SN6FHI6IiwHq5_36Dg&usg=AFQjCNGORGPrWsGyvAf1cLP85mEVlxJXiA&sig2=tK2SOaSp7dziOWBuMsXowQ" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','5','AFQjCNGORGPrWsGyvAf1cLP85mEVlxJXiA','&sig2=tK2SOaSp7dziOWBuMsXowQ')">The Life and Legend of Count <em>Rumford</em></a> and <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnumismatics.org%2Fcollection%2F1940.100.1962&ei=c_-9SKPjBJXcigG7u72BDw&usg=AFQjCNFggUjg3nnvz3-sEBqlhVe0NOHchg&sig2=0tUuaHgcQvxjrstBxFGKvA" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','7','AFQjCNFggUjg3nnvz3-sEBqlhVe0NOHchg','&sig2=0tUuaHgcQvxjrstBxFGKvA')">numismatics.org:1940.100.1962</a><br /><br />The medal is inscribed on the obverse: "BENJAMIN COUNT RUMFORD BORN 1753 DIED 1814 and on the reverse: RUMFORD MEDAL FOR DISCOVERIES IN LIGHT OR HEAT|AWARDED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES TO ...". Although it is inscribed as the Rumford Medal, it seems that the wording is intended to refer to the Rumford Prize.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/1600/ds%20837%20peale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2282/2644/320/ds%20837%20peale.jpg" border="0" /></a> Established in 1839, the Rumford Prize is one of the oldest scientific prizes in the United States.<br /><br />The first person to receive the Rumford Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences was Dr Robert Hare (1781-1858) who was born in Philadelphia and was Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania from 1819-1847, where he became Professor Emeritus.<br /><br />The award reads; "Robert Hare, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for his invention of the "compound" or "oxyhydrogen" blowpipe".<br /><br />Dr Hare is depicted here in a miniature in this collection painted by James Peale, for more about Robert Hare and the miniature, see <a href="http://american-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/peale-james-portrait-of-dr-robert-hare.html">Peale, James - portrait of Dr Robert Hare</a> The AAAS Rumford Prize was not awarded again until 1862.<br /><br />Among those who have received the Rumford Medal from the Royal Society are Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur, James Maxwell, and John Tyndall.<br /><br />Among those who have received the award from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences are Josiah Gibbs, Thomas Edison, Albert Michelson, Irving Langmuir, Arthur Compton, Karl Compton, Enrico Fermi, and Edwin Land.<br /><br />Rumford was also instrumental in the founding of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institution" title="Royal Institution">Royal Institution</a> The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London. It was founded in 1799 by the leading British scientists of the age, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cavendish" title="Henry Cavendish">Henry Cavendish</a> and its first president, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Finch,_9th_Earl_of_Winchilsea" title="George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea">George Finch, the 9th Earl of Winchilsea</a>, for "diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the general introduction, of useful mechanical inventions and improvements; and for teaching, by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life." Much of its initial funding and the initial proposal for its founding were given by the Society for Bettering the Conditions and Improving the Comforts of the Poor, under the guidance of philanthropist Sir <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bernard" title="Thomas Bernard">Thomas Bernard</a> and Count Rumford.<br /><br />At his funeral in Paris in 1814 Rumford was described as the “benefactor of humanity”. He left a will dated September 28, 1812; one of its witnesses was the Marquis de Lafayette. Included in the bequests were a plain gold watch for the chemist Humphry Davy and a gold-headed cane and gold-enameled watch, with the gold chain and seals attached, for the American Daniel Parker. To Benjamin, Baron Delessert, Rumford left a gold-enameled snuffbox, set around with diamonds, that had been given him by His Majesty Francis II, Emperor of Austria.<br /><br />The bulk of the estate, however, was set aside for a trio of beneficiaries: Harvard College, the United States Military Academy, and Rumford’s daughter, Sarah.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai0LXQwwsUpL1Ft2odlZqfdK9Uwrtgo5V516dK36ys4sowxdMdSauV8aHr5OygkKkQ5lUAGhXO_d0-1MEftIsdWqsS9hvF4ZiK2BPR9cvGLzOc9JbvwDUZ8p2wW65vCf-C6-Cfg/s1600-h/200px-Sarah_Rumford,_c_1797.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai0LXQwwsUpL1Ft2odlZqfdK9Uwrtgo5V516dK36ys4sowxdMdSauV8aHr5OygkKkQ5lUAGhXO_d0-1MEftIsdWqsS9hvF4ZiK2BPR9cvGLzOc9JbvwDUZ8p2wW65vCf-C6-Cfg/s400/200px-Sarah_Rumford,_c_1797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241606542759051394" border="0" /></a>The portion of the estate was left to Harvard University enabled the present Rumford Professorship to be established.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sarah, Countess of Rumford</span><br />Daughter Sarah (1774-1852) shown here did not marry, although she had wanted to. After her mother died, Rumford sent for her to come to Europe to serve as his companion. Thus, around 1796, at her father's request, Sarah Thompson travelled to London to be with him. Their relationship proved uneasy, often strained; after his death she returned to Concord.<br /><br />In 1797, the Elector of Bavaria accepted Sarah Thompson as a Countess of the Holy Roman Empire. In recognition of her father's military services to Bavaria, she was to be given one half of his pension of 2000 florins upon his death, with the right to live in any country she wished. When her father died in 1814 she became "Countess Rumford".<br /><br />As the Dowager Sarah, Countess Rumford, she died on December 2, 1852, when she was seventy-nine years old. She left her large house and land in Concord, and her considerable fortune, to charity. She had two favorite causes and endowed them by bequest: a home for parentless children and the New Hampshire Asylum for the indigent insane.<br /><br />Although there is no accompanying provenance, this miniature portrait was acquired in the United States from Kensington, MD, which is less than 450 miles from Concord, MA. As it represents Rumford's benefactor and would have been painted while he was in Bavaria, it is even possible the miniature was left as part of his estate to his daughter Sarah. 1344Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-84134952609630304722008-05-27T18:04:00.001-07:002008-11-13T05:22:10.496-08:00Maricot, Jean-Alexandre - portrait of a young lady<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyAFxZg-zg22mTroD5rjS0MRbkDMVjkUPL8YQR6rNI3CIZpAACrwhIJB2d3oI9yW_4mft5W-Wv_Olv6VftiSxdtQszGlBogT2xdyMRInOC50II9VChHG1ehzMEA50R_Ki4iWgpA/s1600-h/ds+1332+maricot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyAFxZg-zg22mTroD5rjS0MRbkDMVjkUPL8YQR6rNI3CIZpAACrwhIJB2d3oI9yW_4mft5W-Wv_Olv6VftiSxdtQszGlBogT2xdyMRInOC50II9VChHG1ehzMEA50R_Ki4iWgpA/s320/ds+1332+maricot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205229109763427522" border="0" /></a>This recently acquired miniature of a young lady is signed and dated in red at the lower left: "Maricot 1827".<br /><br />Miniature portraits by Jean-Alexandre Maricot (aka Jeanne-Alexandre Maricot) (<1785->1840) seem to be uncommon, so much so that Nathalie Lemoine-Bouchard was unfortunately unable to locate a suitable image in time to include in her book about French miniature painters.<br /><br />Although the French Government owns over 2,000 miniatures, almost all by French artists, there is no example by Maricot.<br /><br />A kind visitor who is an expert on European miniatures has commented: "Maricot is an extremely rare artist, and he is just as good as Mansion or Aubry, but lesser known due to his rarity. Glowing colours, a brush stroke like in oil painting, a fantastic artist."<br /><br />The miniature is very large at 185mm x 135mm. As a result of that it has suffered some cracking over the years. <br /><br />Whilst cracks are generally to be avoided, it is almost impossible to find 18C and 19C miniatures of large dimensions without any evidence of cracking. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n7tlfBFHU3ZNMRx0aY8JTWbR-AYUagi3pbsh2d9SkKsnnEf8uzXMV1FdkroM6J59ie83BTLc2Gs_Ggv7_3E6vUji27p8GEkChJqIuYeAsXyXCUSWWuQkvOAjOrJ_6eLDkPdjZA/s1600-h/ds+1332+head.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n7tlfBFHU3ZNMRx0aY8JTWbR-AYUagi3pbsh2d9SkKsnnEf8uzXMV1FdkroM6J59ie83BTLc2Gs_Ggv7_3E6vUji27p8GEkChJqIuYeAsXyXCUSWWuQkvOAjOrJ_6eLDkPdjZA/s320/ds+1332+head.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205229109763427538" border="0" /></a> For most large miniature portraits depicted in the Louvre Catalogue, cracks can be seen and it seems likely many others will also be cracked, but such cracks not apparent in the printed images.<br /><br />Thus for a miniature such as this, it seems that any cracks must really be regarded in a similar manner to rim chips on 17C Delft ware. That is, it is an acceptable proof of age.<br /><br />Schidlof describes miniatures by Maricot as follows:<br /><br />"The miniatures of Maricot clearly show an influence of Isabey. They have a yellowish colouring with red-brown shadows and a fine, skilful and soft execution. The relief and expression of his miniatures are remarkable. Maricot was a very good miniaturist and some of his works are of great quality".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR30Quqvwek61NJW87fUd6FJ_fNhgwlLzqqf_aabAzZgh4aIjbdDQztBxfwaDsa1vGB-YUvnzxL8wZpYoj2lEyQnijijv-XmM7Px3Tw1YYidYDyVsoDDuHa3kZUUwseYMUcv1Cw/s1600-h/ds+1332+signature.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR30Quqvwek61NJW87fUd6FJ_fNhgwlLzqqf_aabAzZgh4aIjbdDQztBxfwaDsa1vGB-YUvnzxL8wZpYoj2lEyQnijijv-XmM7Px3Tw1YYidYDyVsoDDuHa3kZUUwseYMUcv1Cw/s320/ds+1332+signature.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205229114058394850" border="0" /></a> Maricot exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1808 until 1848. He also painted in oils and watercolour.<br /><br />The sitter in this miniature is unknown. <br /><br />The hat she is wearing is very finely painted and could have passed with favourable comment 100 years later, if it had been worn by a fashionable young lady in the 1920's. 1332Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-27018362274853878922008-04-08T20:50:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:22:11.479-08:00Unknown - silver snuff box with portraits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7spncQG_q4OpbFLhTQoKL_Z6hzJgEpRjBYh1K53MKWzodOSEX35WvInPCbwgpEzp024HiROMp5X2EGhWR415ZAX_2nCuSYeThV7NgwIkhDDc-xGB2ULeY_qNt0lf5Wfy_7pw5A/s1600-h/ds+1325zsnuff1_edited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7spncQG_q4OpbFLhTQoKL_Z6hzJgEpRjBYh1K53MKWzodOSEX35WvInPCbwgpEzp024HiROMp5X2EGhWR415ZAX_2nCuSYeThV7NgwIkhDDc-xGB2ULeY_qNt0lf5Wfy_7pw5A/s400/ds+1325zsnuff1_edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187088367280243042" border="0" /></a> There are many unsigned miniature portraits, with unidentified sitters, and while some are very attractive, there is often not a lot of research that can be conducted to find out more about them.<br /><br />Despite this pair of miniatures being unsigned and unidentified they were acquired as they are unusual. They are set into the interior lid of a silver snuff box. The box is probably Dutch, French, or German.<br /><br />As such the item appeals to three groups of collectors; those collecting miniature portraits, snuff boxes, and sterling silver.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw3M9GS1qXVJ_Q-nl0SYCjZmaqxxoASIH9r80syi-Snne2JcmkirQ3LDWiqWDJJQj_TDUb7Ww0Eo3Eeui2uZfpVKYJeWS8yakkTY4BY3TwQUXPtWunMnAL4BZiCwTsx1LEtzeVQ/s1600-h/ds+1325+hallmark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw3M9GS1qXVJ_Q-nl0SYCjZmaqxxoASIH9r80syi-Snne2JcmkirQ3LDWiqWDJJQj_TDUb7Ww0Eo3Eeui2uZfpVKYJeWS8yakkTY4BY3TwQUXPtWunMnAL4BZiCwTsx1LEtzeVQ/s400/ds+1325+hallmark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187094311514980722" border="0" /></a> The snuff box is hammered silver in a rococo design and likely made at the end of the Rococo period, say 1775/1780. There is a town hall mark but it is hard to read, however the maker's mark is quite clear as "CH".<br /><br />I do not know much about hallmarks but have had a look through my reference book without success. The hallmark appears to be something hovering over four thick prongs, perhaps of a crown. Any help in identifying the hallmark will be very welcome.<br /><br />The portraits are finely painted on paper under glass. The wheat sheaves and agricultural implements between the man and lady, suggest they could represent a miller and his wife.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MqzrZODZ2hqP4icR6HXRoaNpQAOVcIuQQAY3f3aQFCkdN69gCpcipRguo3Y51J8uVr-XOZnyFdSf0HW49bd5KKkHbuKw4yu8GAYLG2w3rY6qQhwMQUBGlrcHaKIRLBrxcSaAyA/s1600-h/snuff1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MqzrZODZ2hqP4icR6HXRoaNpQAOVcIuQQAY3f3aQFCkdN69gCpcipRguo3Y51J8uVr-XOZnyFdSf0HW49bd5KKkHbuKw4yu8GAYLG2w3rY6qQhwMQUBGlrcHaKIRLBrxcSaAyA/s320/snuff1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187108167079477650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF-r2RTf03DzcSYUmvlDzqy_ysLmfOdkceAEwoZb1SYjGANVwuHvAX0dw9U4GwZNRljiTwj1nkamxNIm_KjBZR6cdgq8-eMNN5oVxRT9Pdq1CWZAH02lR0uq8kaEp9d_59EmcDw/s1600-h/snuff2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF-r2RTf03DzcSYUmvlDzqy_ysLmfOdkceAEwoZb1SYjGANVwuHvAX0dw9U4GwZNRljiTwj1nkamxNIm_KjBZR6cdgq8-eMNN5oVxRT9Pdq1CWZAH02lR0uq8kaEp9d_59EmcDw/s320/snuff2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187108167079477666" border="0" /></a> Within this collection there are a number of complete snuff boxes. They are made from a variety of materials, including silver, horn, wood, and papier-mache as shown here (the portraits are inside the silver snuff box). With portraits ranging from the famous French sculptor Joseph Chinard by Francois Soiron, to King Ferdinand VII of Spain by Stobwasser, a baby, and a mourning scene. <br /><br />The history of snuff is very long with snuff taking by the Native Americans first described by a monk named Ramon Pane in 1493, during Columbus' second journey to the Americas.<br /><br />By the 1700s, Snuff had become the tobacco product of choice, with fans including Napoleon, as well as George III's wife, and Pope Benedict XIII.<br /><br />This box is an early example to have portraits inside. At the end of the 18C and into the 19C there were many snuff boxes with portraits set into the outside, especially in France. <br /><br />The better quality portrait miniatures surviving from that period are often survivors of a broken snuff box, with the lower portion being discarded.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeMI00XZIhrRKNzNlZT40Jk68dHwRk3lSJ6BO1uj0jvX3jKBUwf5GMmT6mAcJaWKJZjJlJTk9TfhvbABmvjQOjA5_O-8z3C0tYj_TmhXkP3LpWHn2kI1VlWYPkf-0CRPrFnqUJg/s1600-h/ds+1315+duke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeMI00XZIhrRKNzNlZT40Jk68dHwRk3lSJ6BO1uj0jvX3jKBUwf5GMmT6mAcJaWKJZjJlJTk9TfhvbABmvjQOjA5_O-8z3C0tYj_TmhXkP3LpWHn2kI1VlWYPkf-0CRPrFnqUJg/s200/ds+1315+duke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187101252182131074" border="0" /></a> Even after snuff-taking ceased to be popular in general, the practice lingered among diplomats. Monarchs retained the habit of bestowing snuff-boxes upon ambassadors and other intermediaries as a form of honour. Some of these were incredibly valuable.<br /><br />Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (1819-1904) shown here in a miniature from this collection, see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://british-miniatures20c.blogspot.com/2008/03/unknown-portrait-of-prince-george-duke.html">View</a> himself possessed an important collection. After the Duke's death a Louis XV gold snuff box was sold at auction for £2000. 1325Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-70400420565582812692008-03-27T17:45:00.014-07:002021-06-12T18:00:15.124-07:00Kellner, Dorothea - the von Cramon portraits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDX9A2TnZ5XLvvlOcuqGqSzIWyn8baeIAZpxsMQemxVez0ObvhXgBgI0xefKd43ELxmxfTvfNF_t_INdDf5jy9C62cgx6Ip9nt-N9QaNt_jO6FH2bG4mRc-vi10f1-3Ja_fTePg/s1600/image003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182595505071110834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F08K4thVSH1cJizLuSyVReDeNNZK7JXd8uCp_OWdBI0TvORpVJ_Qm161y42NQ9QAahi7Uq10ZBaaCYQrsenlNck6rEBq06HVJLMQsc5Ocwq4qT9ua1CcHUtVb7Q5YPtkR3wAlA/s320/ds+1319%261320+pair.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Family at War</span><br />
Rarely does one come across a pair of miniature portraits so well identified as this pair are. The research below shows what can be discovered about the impact of war on a family. Researching these sitters also brings history to life and gives a different perspective to some 20C events.<br />
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The following research has not all been confirmed by the von Cramon family, but it appears the family was a true military family with a long and proud military history back to the 17C, which was wrenched apart by events associated with WWI and WWII.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_Vozq0mPPpAYg7SKeCnWmauqSWd3x6oQudRRImwnc94HBA7Tk4QtWhCe_zuWOHEhyvs2wVBtXDFfNZZpDtPSl1p3ABi6fi03iPO4DIyuyMs_nnGwJDpi2dHRxtvv0qPcpUHLag/s1600/cramonarms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687991176982692450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_Vozq0mPPpAYg7SKeCnWmauqSWd3x6oQudRRImwnc94HBA7Tk4QtWhCe_zuWOHEhyvs2wVBtXDFfNZZpDtPSl1p3ABi6fi03iPO4DIyuyMs_nnGwJDpi2dHRxtvv0qPcpUHLag/s320/cramonarms.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 287px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 201px;" /></a>Apart from the von Cramon family's distinguished military service in both World Wars, such events included August von Cramon's involvement in war reparation disputes after Versailles, a plot to restore the rights of the feudal states in the 1920's, persecution of Jewish members of the family, the bomb plot against Hitler, and the effects of the Iron Curtain. There was also conflicting Nazi Party and SS membership by wider family members leading in at least one instance, to the trial and imprisonment of Udo von Woyrsch, a nephew-in-law, for war crimes.<br />
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The story ends in 2008 in a small town auction in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, USA, where the two miniature portraits were offered at an antique auction. The pair were offered as separate lots, but fortunately they both sold below the estimates and so I could afford to buy them. Otherwise they could have been split up for ever.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The artist</span><br />
The miniatures are both signed on the front and on the reverse by D Kellner, for Dorothea Kellner (1875->1938). Little is recorded about her, but she did exhibit at the Berlin Academy. She was born at Gentzrode/Neuruppin and worked in Berlin, Cairo, Paris, Italy, and Austria. Judging by the apparent age of the two sitters, compared to their actual birth dates, it would seem that Kellner copied the portraits from photographs or other portraits dating to the 1920's.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_echsji8jWoTzoTbdSnrtzodq2FhTwZEycPdtKjxIVTqjWwjXH2LHDvdYzJrTP9HfmGfRtNOIEKVWhtCTMGJq9IEMTcT9iZNltf7IAhYntvrzLdkDN63f3s0Bvt8OE9kBu41RFA/s1600-h/ds+1319+signature.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182588847871802002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_echsji8jWoTzoTbdSnrtzodq2FhTwZEycPdtKjxIVTqjWwjXH2LHDvdYzJrTP9HfmGfRtNOIEKVWhtCTMGJq9IEMTcT9iZNltf7IAhYntvrzLdkDN63f3s0Bvt8OE9kBu41RFA/s320/ds+1319+signature.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 91px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 286px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdeqAYzW86V42U82ydNHB_ZIsz41djL1yYGvtmA8Zhq7EfA8tKj-AziakBilDP2HFCu9kfl5xZucnW9erPnAIFhUb9VR7hRfxyDiQsUtK0R0Gnvb9k1VUynn7lwCk-t6nqhuFpA/s1600-h/ds+1319+hallmark.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182595509366078146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdeqAYzW86V42U82ydNHB_ZIsz41djL1yYGvtmA8Zhq7EfA8tKj-AziakBilDP2HFCu9kfl5xZucnW9erPnAIFhUb9VR7hRfxyDiQsUtK0R0Gnvb9k1VUynn7lwCk-t6nqhuFpA/s320/ds+1319+hallmark.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 55px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 226px;" /></a> Both miniatures are in silver gilt frames which are hallmarked on the base. The country mark is Germany, the fineness is 925 and a town or maker's mark which appears to be a spouting whale over the letters D G W, followed by a date letter or maker's mark "H". However, the specific hall mark has not yet been located.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b9WOM7BmSAV0PsnG3eJ6VT4ilRRqDAn668DkQYziU-8Pk3WzE2g11rF-cJ8Q5ItnUUBdME-LEXDYNclP4JkZgvWay1iY941iEIj19P9ieSrg-e4WFoe2DxOlagZIiYX48cL7ig/s1600-h/ds+1319+outofframe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182588285231086162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b9WOM7BmSAV0PsnG3eJ6VT4ilRRqDAn668DkQYziU-8Pk3WzE2g11rF-cJ8Q5ItnUUBdME-LEXDYNclP4JkZgvWay1iY941iEIj19P9ieSrg-e4WFoe2DxOlagZIiYX48cL7ig/s320/ds+1319+outofframe.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3HkR3KzEdUlHQPjMTcD7xNrcZ1kB35FP-r8iHlXOF_DRtiJgOBmLKXpdd6eBm_aOYBKkYxIKe4hcGl6lM1oFEAFQDaK0CHGNlsUlcgHZ88aBRUD6WWl9XBBRuptwwute_1hkkA/s1600-h/ds+1319+reverse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182609515254430450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3HkR3KzEdUlHQPjMTcD7xNrcZ1kB35FP-r8iHlXOF_DRtiJgOBmLKXpdd6eBm_aOYBKkYxIKe4hcGl6lM1oFEAFQDaK0CHGNlsUlcgHZ88aBRUD6WWl9XBBRuptwwute_1hkkA/s200/ds+1319+reverse.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGB4CmZTnDlYyRnDhI1mraM3pOM5IncYWkBYvfRntW3THKrNlwNYW0AKf5xHF1irLhmAdiG2w9GR3xJxV9XyzprEADy69ZUUlcafC00HXbm5edmOupGLuZBRChTEBoj6h5QwhSg/s1600-h/ds+1319+typed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182596853690841810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGB4CmZTnDlYyRnDhI1mraM3pOM5IncYWkBYvfRntW3THKrNlwNYW0AKf5xHF1irLhmAdiG2w9GR3xJxV9XyzprEADy69ZUUlcafC00HXbm5edmOupGLuZBRChTEBoj6h5QwhSg/s320/ds+1319+typed.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The von Cramon family</span> Identification of both sitters comes from interior inscriptions and also a typed inscription on the reverse.<br />
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Inscribed inside the officer is "August von Cramon / geb 7.4.1861 / Rgt preuss. Generalleutnant n D / General Adjutant L M Kaiser Wilhelm II / D Kellner pinxit 1938". The typed note reads "August Friedr. Wilhelm Karl Erdmann v. Cramon geb Pawlau 7.4.1860 gest 20.10. / Gen. Lt. Gen. adjt. Kaiser Wilhelm II 19.40. / Eh, Komend. Ordenshptn. d. Johanniterordens".<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVnT_2ACCTdHdxmF2Xyu0M1Ybv93TItmro4fnSiLQP2ZDKQdJjbGRsMns4W9wDm-Q_U2UdjOzSuh20VmzsFBE786D2E06OS8OKNnTnl5x2Aev16nvEKVvak-YgTRaR_a5i1N1TA/s1600-h/ds+1320+outofframe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182588285231086178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVnT_2ACCTdHdxmF2Xyu0M1Ybv93TItmro4fnSiLQP2ZDKQdJjbGRsMns4W9wDm-Q_U2UdjOzSuh20VmzsFBE786D2E06OS8OKNnTnl5x2Aev16nvEKVvak-YgTRaR_a5i1N1TA/s320/ds+1320+outofframe.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWVnMB891ojG5ZcAka4B9iZih364koHpdK07FoMoAfwGWSkrEDWKb5DywFqizK8Sf9jX1UdzDCUhS8_izFkUgVMejIVPyF6s-PAWfj-8OuMexN8p2MZ2CdgiJvrWsNtzg3smB2w/s1600-h/ds+1320+reverse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182609515254430466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWVnMB891ojG5ZcAka4B9iZih364koHpdK07FoMoAfwGWSkrEDWKb5DywFqizK8Sf9jX1UdzDCUhS8_izFkUgVMejIVPyF6s-PAWfj-8OuMexN8p2MZ2CdgiJvrWsNtzg3smB2w/s200/ds+1320+reverse.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dCq_WH2QMCtBeZjia_0G6w7-DmPZ7t6c7oqFoRxJbkIvJyurpwikvlhceS0F4ZqHB7zYXhfTrgSOS20miOKL1FKAx-mdfMWMTgs3uqhjtHy-JML5btN3DvBWeGoSAskX23rkUA/s1600-h/ds+1320+typed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182596853690841826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dCq_WH2QMCtBeZjia_0G6w7-DmPZ7t6c7oqFoRxJbkIvJyurpwikvlhceS0F4ZqHB7zYXhfTrgSOS20miOKL1FKAx-mdfMWMTgs3uqhjtHy-JML5btN3DvBWeGoSAskX23rkUA/s320/ds+1320+typed.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Identification of the lady come from the interior inscription "Helene von Cramon / geb Frein von Tschammer und Quaritz / geb 6.3.1865 gest. 18.3.1939 / D Kellner pinxit 1938" and the typed note which reads "Ottilie Therese Agnes Helene v. Cramon / geb. Frelin v. Tschammer u. Quaritz / Brunselwaldau 6.3.1865 - 9.3.1939 x Quaritz 29.9.1887".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTgdlmlaqEJKAOXAO6tLm9syG1-9NxQ5ew_9XHcZdjdOtLqsXs_vE_DXh4sXC0gvwJOPewFRF8-WTChBzsdG4YomcIX5nCsy3lGZIeMK9VDzB2Qw-jAVPWg1N2KdQCr5HChkccg/s1600-h/Brunzelwaldau.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182662055589362482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTgdlmlaqEJKAOXAO6tLm9syG1-9NxQ5ew_9XHcZdjdOtLqsXs_vE_DXh4sXC0gvwJOPewFRF8-WTChBzsdG4YomcIX5nCsy3lGZIeMK9VDzB2Qw-jAVPWg1N2KdQCr5HChkccg/s320/Brunzelwaldau.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Helene von Tschammer und Quaritz was born 6 Mar 1865 at Brunzelwaldau, Freistadt, in Silesia, then part of Prussia, possibly at Brunzelwaldau Castle as shown here. Her parents were Arthur von Tschammer und Quaritz and Johanna von Lieres (or Jenny von Lieres).<br />
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Helene may also have been a sister of Georg Freiherr von Tschammer und Quaritz (1869-October 1918) who was a German politician and State Secretary at the Ministry of Alsace-Lorraine when it was part of the German Empire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1zAO38oIpVO77LrDl1t495d2cFpNQGdhDsTYwf2vV7fpXY7-jPjxBkmMC72A-eSZ_WD-wwcFWvvN2f1aMqi7qBXpGOBMavnd6tH_ZDaLo2TfGQEKmuD1xO3aRWljPsgizORZBw/s1600-h/taubmpicture.asp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184027232419232930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1zAO38oIpVO77LrDl1t495d2cFpNQGdhDsTYwf2vV7fpXY7-jPjxBkmMC72A-eSZ_WD-wwcFWvvN2f1aMqi7qBXpGOBMavnd6tH_ZDaLo2TfGQEKmuD1xO3aRWljPsgizORZBw/s320/taubmpicture.asp.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Lieutenant-General August von Cramon was born at Pawlau on 7 April 1861 (or 1860). At that time, it was a parish of Breslau in the Ratibor district of Upper Silesia and the main language spoken was Polish. His parents were Friedrich August von Cramon (7 Nov 1832-30 Nov 1898) and Katharina von Taubadel (7 Jun 1834-17 Jan 1906) who were married on 14 May 1860. Katharina's parents were probably Wilhelm von Taubadel (1796-1851) and his wife Agnes von Jordan (1799-1854) as shown here in portraits of 1840 by Karl Friedrich Ludwig de Rahden which were sold by Sotheby's in Munich, on 18 May 1988.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRiSunWWeS0Sz2iK9NhLo82UFAYabwzVWa88_NFmMsZjqNh6fHrW0CrTTpOeOQEy3qYAxP2dF7MlK6W_yzUTf0v7UbGQE_SHatdtafVcfc1yXfp-Ww1MrsZrwY9RS_BtLyunsag/s1600-h/taubadel03082.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184029787924774066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRiSunWWeS0Sz2iK9NhLo82UFAYabwzVWa88_NFmMsZjqNh6fHrW0CrTTpOeOQEy3qYAxP2dF7MlK6W_yzUTf0v7UbGQE_SHatdtafVcfc1yXfp-Ww1MrsZrwY9RS_BtLyunsag/s400/taubadel03082.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> With Wilhelm von Taubadel himself likely to be descended from the Swedish general George Christoph von Taubadel (aka Georg Christoph von Taupadel)(c1600-1647) shown here in 1632 and who fought many battles in the Thirty Years War, in one of which he lost his arm.<br />
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A letter recording an incident from this period was sold by Christie's in 2007. It was from Matthias Gallas, Count of Campo and Duke of Lucera (1584-1647), to an unidentified correspondent, on one page in Italian, with a request to take care of the sister, son and possessions of [Colonel George Christoph von Taupadel] the commander of the Swedish army, 'mi fava favore, che sia tenuto cura della sorella figlio et Robba de Tubadel'. Gallas took part in the siege and destruction of Schondorf where the Swedish army in which Taupadel served was routed by the Imperial forces in September 1634. Taupadel avenged the defeat in 1642, after Gallas, who had joined the conspiracy against Wallenstein, had succeeded to the command of the Imperial army.<br />
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Wilhelm also probably descended from Ernst Balthasar Siegmund von Taubadel (7 Aug 1724-13 Aug 1802) a Prussian Major General and Commander of Danzig (1793-1795).<br />
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Friedrich and Katharina had one other son, Bertram Heinrich Werner Erdmann von Cramon-Taubadel (28 Sep 1869-13 Feb 1952) who adopted the surname von Cramon-Taubadel, This was a result of August inheriting their father's von Cramon estate, while his brother inherited the estate of their mother, Helena Taupadel. (see more about Bertram and his family below)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJVgti6meGri0MoMLHq2nTTAHao4HActZ6XIL_ReOwmeU1-e5TQqVp92zZ_zcy-ciszCqg49SCeS12FyRb7-IXylwZ0u0evNDnk3TVL05GW_Ks6EP9pWSqTciGmy4mzhUVSMaAA/s1600-h/ww2mR042RussianBarbarossa.GIF" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183824458423254130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJVgti6meGri0MoMLHq2nTTAHao4HActZ6XIL_ReOwmeU1-e5TQqVp92zZ_zcy-ciszCqg49SCeS12FyRb7-IXylwZ0u0evNDnk3TVL05GW_Ks6EP9pWSqTciGmy4mzhUVSMaAA/s320/ww2mR042RussianBarbarossa.GIF" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> There were possibly also two daughters, Katharina Agnes Karoline Marie Erdmute von Cramon (27 Nov 1862-?) who married Lieutenant-General Adalbert Karl Deodat Siegismund von Rothkirch und Panthen (9.11.1853-14.11.1928) on 12 Apr 1882. They had four children;<br />
1. Friedrich Wilhelm Oskar Deodat Siegesmund von Rothkirch und Panthen (16 Feb 1884-24 Dec 1953) who became a Lieutenant-General in the army, see <a class="l" href="http://www.feldgrau.com/search-officers2.php?ID=1685" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','5','')">Friedrich-Wilhelm <b>von Rothkirch und Panthen</b></a> He was involved in the invasion of France leading the 13th Infantry Division (Motorized), see <a class="l" href="http://www.bridgend-powcamp.fsnet.co.uk/General%20der%20Panzertruppe%20Traugott%20Herr.htm" onmousedown="return clk('http://www.bridgend-powcamp.fsnet.co.uk/General%20der%20Panzertruppe%20Traugott%20Herr.htm','','','res','6','')">General der Panzertruppe Traugott Herr</a> He then led the 13th Panzer Division in Operation Barabarossa, the invasion of Russia, see <a class="l" href="http://users.pandora.be/stalingrad/germanpart/road_to_stalingrad.html" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','7','')">The road to Stalingrad</a><br />
2. Elly Helene Toska Katharina von Rothkirch und Panthen (31 Mar 1889-?)<br />
3. Oskar Guido Karl Ludwig Deodat Siegismund von Rothkirch und Panthen (29 Sep 1893-?).<br />
4. Toska Katharina Marie Elisabeth von Rothkirch und Panthen (09 Nov 1894-?) Breslau Stadt, Schlesien, Preussen<br />
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Also Karoline von Cramon (26 May 1866-29 Feb 1944) who married Gidein Vollrat Julius Helmold von Plessen on 6 Feb 1887.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The career of August von Cramon</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi6ifWDrCMUxqr75cKN1OD_39cR-q_BMVupdkLYlJqfknR9xLxiT5ev8-sdLq3-6V3nZ-oDDm9DFxF8vbPKKc27IejMBlVkoGvphR1pY9LtASR440agc3vgjn0xxvhHkFcVxKsQ/s1600-h/AugustvCramon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310168389432569442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi6ifWDrCMUxqr75cKN1OD_39cR-q_BMVupdkLYlJqfknR9xLxiT5ev8-sdLq3-6V3nZ-oDDm9DFxF8vbPKKc27IejMBlVkoGvphR1pY9LtASR440agc3vgjn0xxvhHkFcVxKsQ/s320/AugustvCramon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 250px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY8Lc-hEP3mv-JW2SqhfzKt4aDDQLSCWRM0kik16i76c0iNLk9AzyH0UCEuPJeFVri-0JPGzviJamO5N4jTeP1EOPHGKfV76wz05aIIJK2PCPx2jjeaIvcYse286Eeo6TrFbDhQ/s1600-h/karl2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182672488064924482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY8Lc-hEP3mv-JW2SqhfzKt4aDDQLSCWRM0kik16i76c0iNLk9AzyH0UCEuPJeFVri-0JPGzviJamO5N4jTeP1EOPHGKfV76wz05aIIJK2PCPx2jjeaIvcYse286Eeo6TrFbDhQ/s400/karl2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Du-UR_yVG0HcSRKABWlU4_ndNm7i-j1SS90VqskZIzpPWmV4zOPIu28uTp0PbUDdBRD0ngfDgAinTH4vSZ0glLGiKQ5rDY2TAcNZ8N1Q1IvsGHJNuZC5FrIB_oyy1byPUdlo-w/s1600-h/AugustvC_title.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310169399822898850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Du-UR_yVG0HcSRKABWlU4_ndNm7i-j1SS90VqskZIzpPWmV4zOPIu28uTp0PbUDdBRD0ngfDgAinTH4vSZ0glLGiKQ5rDY2TAcNZ8N1Q1IvsGHJNuZC5FrIB_oyy1byPUdlo-w/s200/AugustvC_title.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 90px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a> Nothing of August von Cramon's early career is currently known, but at the outbreak of war in 1914 he was Chief of Staff for the 8th Corps. However he was soon made the official German observer attached to the Austrian forces during World War I, from early 1915 until some months after the Armistice. (A kind visitor has recently sent me a copy of this print of von Cramon dated 1915)<br />
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His November 1915 account of the fall of Serbia can be read at <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstworldwar.com%2Fsource%2Fserbia1915_voncramon.htm&ei=_o3sR7LMApvSpgT6iaCFAQ&usg=AFQjCNF1-VAn9prdwUiSftviuIPutK4Bxw&sig2=QuNFQgILBlsrosncHGVgsg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNF1-VAn9prdwUiSftviuIPutK4Bxw','&sig2=QuNFQgILBlsrosncHGVgsg')">First World War.com - Primary Documents - <b>The Fall of Serbia by</b> <b>...</b></a><br />
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Von Cramon was instrumental in the lead up to the Asiago Offensive in June 1916 and his report can be read at <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstworldwar.com%2Fsource%2Fasiago_cramon.htm&ei=0VjsR8O2JpjgpgS8o6R8&usg=AFQjCNEu5iuVNc42PGRNznVhT60E318m8w&sig2=x9CPzgWPWz3dN4WrDOsU4g" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNEu5iuVNc42PGRNznVhT60E318m8w','&sig2=x9CPzgWPWz3dN4WrDOsU4g')">First World War.com - Primary Documents - <b>General von Cramon</b> on <b>...</b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzALVAr0sfxQb95c6lEBzAooDuogd9YgljyOpo2AL-mWPTSrznFkEfRmV_QzSXI665sCEmPk9rom0eLqjVfM-GalJK7Y4PM-4Mf2CM-0keQ5seIOWrOs-ZkSV-IeEC0oJ1Cx8Vw/s1600-h/crad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182675915448826706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzALVAr0sfxQb95c6lEBzAooDuogd9YgljyOpo2AL-mWPTSrznFkEfRmV_QzSXI665sCEmPk9rom0eLqjVfM-GalJK7Y4PM-4Mf2CM-0keQ5seIOWrOs-ZkSV-IeEC0oJ1Cx8Vw/s400/crad.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Later on August 1, 1917 General Von Cramon informed the German High Command that German help was required on the Isonzo front see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=9&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwar1.com%2Fitafront%2Fcaporetto.htm&ei=d1rsR9CcC4WIpATLiZV0&usg=AFQjCNEeOwyRIljjBF5CsDESHCAJhkrKwQ&sig2=7D4ynQCF-K60iuZu4rIGkg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','9','AFQjCNEeOwyRIljjBF5CsDESHCAJhkrKwQ','&sig2=7D4ynQCF-K60iuZu4rIGkg')">La Grande Guerra: Caporetto - A Fresh Look</a><br />
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At a major German conference on 11 May 1918 a memorandum prepared by von Cramon was an important discussion topic when the military relationship between Germany and Austria was discussed. The minutes record; "<span class="bodytext">Field Marshall von Hindenburg notes that it will suffice in any case if the upcoming meeting of the monarchs discusses General von Cramon’s seven points."</span><br />
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Later there was a German military conference on 10 Aug 1918 at Spa, the German Supreme Headquarters. At it, a report from General von Cramon, as the Military Attache in Vienna, was read to the effect that the Austrian Emperor had said that they should make peace in 1918, and if they did not, he would make a separate peace. The postcard below shows Colonel von Cramon in the Officer's Mess in Austria, he is just right of the candelabra. The names of those depicted a<span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none; display: inline; font-size: 100%; margin: 0pt; outline: currentcolor none 0pt; padding: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0pt none; display: inline; font-size: 100%; margin: 0pt; outline: currentcolor none 0pt; padding: 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">t the table, are a little confusing in the translation, but seem to include; "Conrad of Hötzendorf" sitting Kundmann Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel Graf von Kageneck, Slameczka Lieutenant Colonel Rear Admiral Raisp v. Caliga, Colonel von Cramon, Field Marshal Lieutenant v. Hoefer, Generalmajor Metzger, Lieutenant Colonel Christophori. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYuXekKrNdPSmL2NhwcoxoBrqGi8DNn810n3z6bHFLq-x7mXuBF-c2TZkx_C3maDFzEz99xrH0AaJcFFWCi2X4Hv2xQR1ALOIKLp0dU3TxTtLPqu6NKEg4YLeZFo-x1dFAzD3ow/s1600/cramon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYuXekKrNdPSmL2NhwcoxoBrqGi8DNn810n3z6bHFLq-x7mXuBF-c2TZkx_C3maDFzEz99xrH0AaJcFFWCi2X4Hv2xQR1ALOIKLp0dU3TxTtLPqu6NKEg4YLeZFo-x1dFAzD3ow/s1600/cramon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilumBJn6wxykLFF6KU3t_oY3k2-SA5bD6fRsCmY_Z6kjnfGVxc92s9GZzCYm0Up9y-TDgHAKpNdRGA3d-S4IILLFNTRPu-LLHl2mora_YWyGwZf3E86IUPcRt87MOkN6GZ94s_Iw/s1600/cramon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3o4S2Vq2B0h8gotfC32SHHiAXgQHYerZjKuE_kuvP68tt13YLl_oSt4v0DyuobnM7kfY3JHIA0mpvvANxjSwieUeH_7oKQNTTeHCp7jYIJcXb-QyS37K_gYP7a65HoEF-AIk8Q/s1600-h/ds+1319+outofframe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183044453707594802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3o4S2Vq2B0h8gotfC32SHHiAXgQHYerZjKuE_kuvP68tt13YLl_oSt4v0DyuobnM7kfY3JHIA0mpvvANxjSwieUeH_7oKQNTTeHCp7jYIJcXb-QyS37K_gYP7a65HoEF-AIk8Q/s200/ds+1319+outofframe.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Immediately after WWI in late 1919 General von Cramon was carefully appointed head of the GAPM (German Army Peace Commission) where he often clashed with Allied government and military officials after 1920, as part of a German government policy of passive resistance and vehement opposition to any form of German disarmament.<br />
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The GAPM was an unexpected gift to the German government, which had expected the Allies to ride rough shod over their defeated enemy. Instead the Allied powers requested there be a German liaison committee to co-ordinate the disarmament process. The German government saw they could use the GAPM as a means of obstructing the Allied demands for disarmament. From his first meeting with the IAMCC (Inter Allied Military Control Commission) on 20 Jan 1920, von Cramon demonstrated that the policy included power games, obfuscation, and general obstruction.<br />
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A report of the initial meeting between the French and Germans in Berlin recorded the following exchange. Germany's representative, General von Cramon, "declares this meeting open."<br />
France's General Nollet intervened, "Stop! It is for me to declare this meeting open. We are in control here!"<br />
Von Cramon responded, "You are a foreign mission, on our territory in time of peace. By all diplomatic precedents it is for me to decide."<br />
Nollet replied, "There are no precedents. The Treaty has made one. The Treaty has placed us in control, and control means supervision."<br />
"Very well," said von Cramon, "then I must report to my government."<br />
"And I to mine," Nollet answered and the two generals left the room. Back at the Hotel Bellvue, General Nollet angrily told his staff that he has beaten the Germans four times in battle, and he will not lose now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFM05KYnehbu-RFvZcl9taI4fXpDiGNImXqy5clbPxfgThqpbKE8B08sEmiBS50PvUd1v2328_ZRp6yDxIjyQzE1NsTZJmTPmh3ENXV4Z7PJK4J_0pJnrNX70FX6dSKbhl51crKQ/s1600-h/fokker_f-7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182645017454099218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFM05KYnehbu-RFvZcl9taI4fXpDiGNImXqy5clbPxfgThqpbKE8B08sEmiBS50PvUd1v2328_ZRp6yDxIjyQzE1NsTZJmTPmh3ENXV4Z7PJK4J_0pJnrNX70FX6dSKbhl51crKQ/s400/fokker_f-7.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 183px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 346px;" /></a>As a result of these delaying tactics, the Germans were able in 1920, amongst other things, to spirit away or hide in remote barns, stables, sheds and cellars over half of the Fokker airplane factory machinery and vital parts, leaving less than half of the inventory for the IAMCC inspectors to find.<br />
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The Fokker F-7 being the only item of German war equipment named in the Versailles Treaty as being required to be completely destroyed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbG541Czb7Ua94x9fRqYIqyG8cdrI0dggadTylCNOhW5hRyUPIXMf0wAAM3CWk0glUAahVQvVwC49KrWl3I96ZpZQQxFyWN4YgeWbJo023eX3I0uzs_Lo_Iq-PXaUqZGVYZNZsQ/s1600-h/tfimage2.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182649733328190242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbG541Czb7Ua94x9fRqYIqyG8cdrI0dggadTylCNOhW5hRyUPIXMf0wAAM3CWk0glUAahVQvVwC49KrWl3I96ZpZQQxFyWN4YgeWbJo023eX3I0uzs_Lo_Iq-PXaUqZGVYZNZsQ/s400/tfimage2.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> The concealed items were later in 1920 all smuggled to Holland in six train loads totaling in all, 350 wagons, so that Fokker could appear to operate from a neutral country. The smuggled train loads included 200 airplanes and 400 engines, as well as much machinery.<br />
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In addition Tony Fokker (shown here in 1914) smuggled to Holland the 25% of his total assets which he held in the form of cash, half by sailboat and the rest in a decrepit suitcase sent as diplomatic luggage. For more see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=17&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.co.nz%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_KD0Tkv6ckQC%26pg%3DPA4%26lpg%3DPA4%26dq%3D%2522general%2Bvon%2Bcramon%2522%26source%3Dweb%26ots%3D4u49_Zk9p1%26sig%3DyjsGJTfPP0h3OAsW2OcfSA198K8%26hl%3Den&ei=lFzsR5GxEpaEpATLt4WJAQ&usg=AFQjCNF1ta2v0VOBvevDmNvoXOr0wGDZZg&sig2=SsntxjaPDm7dCZhepMP6Kg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','17','AFQjCNF1ta2v0VOBvevDmNvoXOr0wGDZZg','&sig2=SsntxjaPDm7dCZhepMP6Kg')">Military Deception and Strategic Surprise - Google Books Result</a><br />
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The French government believed that the task of von Cramon was simply to discredit the IAMCC, to such a degree that Foch declared "the War is not yet over". Von Cramon held a similar view and German nationalists referred to the IAMCC as "the hyenas of the battlefield".<br />
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Von Cramon wrote the 205 page book pictured here about his WWI experiences titled "Unser Österreichisch-Ungarischer Bundesgenosse im Weltkrieg" or "Our Austrian-Hungarian Confederation in the World War" which was published by Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Berlin 1920. This book has been described as "unsurpassed for gaining an insider's view of Austria's army at war, on the Isonzo and elsewhere".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh7p5Hrdi22fCNTfWGyJHCQRg2vrByRonLcxOy8i4H6harOvL1ndL4bGKN5nmcYN0C1o1Kva6BxzM5OKIxiBNaULo_jYHAIPCKpkAb28DbaJu2CCy_2QUE75S_84wV4TjYGa7Ag/s1600-h/acramon69e1_1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182719303208450946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh7p5Hrdi22fCNTfWGyJHCQRg2vrByRonLcxOy8i4H6harOvL1ndL4bGKN5nmcYN0C1o1Kva6BxzM5OKIxiBNaULo_jYHAIPCKpkAb28DbaJu2CCy_2QUE75S_84wV4TjYGa7Ag/s400/acramon69e1_1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 372px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 279px;" /></a> It was tranlated into French in 1922 as "Quatre ans au G. Q.G. austro-hongrois pendant la guerre mondiale comme représentant du G. Q.G. allemand. Traduit par le capitaine Koeltz."<br />
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In 1921/22 he wrote "Fort mit den Interalliierten Kontrollkommissionen. (= Flugschriften des "Tag" Nr. 14 / und: Die Maßnahmen der Interalliierten Militär-Kontrollkommissionen gegen die Deutsche Werk A.-G. Herausgegeben von den Spitzenverbänden der Deutschen Gewerkschaften (Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, Allgemeiner freier Angestelltenbund, Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, Gewerkschaftsring Deutscher Arbeiter-, Angestellten- und Beamtenverbände. 2 Schriften in 1 Band."<br />
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I think this translates as something like; "Doing away with the IAMCC (report No 14). The measures of the IAMCC against the German workers. Allow a central association of the German trade unions (general German trade union federation, general free employee federation, German trade union federation, and the trade unions of German workers, employee and official federations). 2 writings in 1 volume."<br />
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Von Cramon also wrote another military book in 1932; "Deutschlands Schicksalsbund mit Österreich-Ungarn. Von Conrad von Hötzendorf zu Kaiser Karl" or (I think); "The fate of Germany federation with Austria-Hungary. Von Conrad and von Hoetzendorf to Emperor Karl."<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The broader picture</span><br />
The IAMCC realised much too late it had been a mistake to require the establishment of the GAPM. Perhaps the Allied negotiators had forgotten that the German government was not familiar with the phrase "it is not cricket".<br />
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The NY Times reported on Dec 29, 1920 "Once more the French are talking about occupying the Ruhr Basin. More than anything else this is probably a play for position in the discussion of reparations which reopens in Brussels on Jan. 10, and is a threat made to counteract the German threat that if the French do not treat them better they will take back all the nice promises they came near making at Brussels two weeks ago." see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fgst%2Fabstract.html%3Fres%3DFA0B12FB3F5810738DDDA90B94DA415B808EF1D3&ei=BqHsR7r-GanmpgS-wthw&usg=AFQjCNFWR_OJ3QxdE91MxP46BIxrD-5Bfg&sig2=c9jzSR1QDS9e5GCmd12c4Q" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNFWR_OJ3QxdE91MxP46BIxrD-5Bfg','&sig2=c9jzSR1QDS9e5GCmd12c4Q')"><b>FRENCH AGAIN TALK OF OCCUPYING RUHR</b>; Say Germany Seeks to Play <b>...</b></a><span class="m"><br /></span>When the French and Belgians did indeed move to occupy the Ruhr in 1923-1925, General von Cramon resigned leadership of the German Peace Commission post claiming that "French soldiers hung German civilians by their feet and crushed their skulls". Although a strong claim, there were instances of repression by the occupying forces. In the event, the Red Cross was called in and this was the first time the Red Cross conducted an investigation to see how the civilians were affected, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icrc.org%2FWeb%2FEng%2Fsiteeng0.nsf%2Fhtml%2F68UJY5&ei=ItztR7S8EY_SpgS29IiMAQ&usg=AFQjCNH2ugRxiZyAhbmqb_zOqUHk0Nl11g&sig2=ZUBlqvma-0_73PEX4Se2Fw" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','5','AFQjCNH2ugRxiZyAhbmqb_zOqUHk0Nl11g','&sig2=ZUBlqvma-0_73PEX4Se2Fw')">The <b>occupation of the Ruhr</b> (Germany, 1923-1925)</a><br />
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The claim also did appeal to many Germans as someone to blame for the crippling effects of hyper-inflation which were spreading across Germany. The onerous WWI reparation payments required from Germany and consequent hyperinflation within the country, became major factors leading to the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.<br />
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At <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ingentaconnect.com%2Fcontent%2Farn%2Fwih%2F2001%2F00000008%2F00000002%2Fart00056&ei=D6fsR6X1NJ-SpwS85p2BAQ&usg=AFQjCNEKlNdG3M8R1KLtOg98nx9p23U3KA&sig2=vE5TwYlpyAemJjTYnaSNdQ" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','5','AFQjCNEKlNdG3M8R1KLtOg98nx9p23U3KA','&sig2=vE5TwYlpyAemJjTYnaSNdQ')">Germany and Coalition Warfare in the World Wars: A Comparative Study</a><span class="m"> </span> the author Raffeel Scheck suggests from looking at several early 1920's right-wing plots in detail (three led by von Tirpitz (19 Mar 1849-6 Mar 1930) and one by von Cramon and Helfferich) that they were were willing to go as far as an armed putsch if necessary. They were also willing to run the considerable risk of an armed conflict with France in the process.<br />
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Scheck establishes a widespread pattern of thinking which sought to force the Reichstag to name a national government led by a man or men chosen by the conspirators which would repudiate both the constitution and the Versailles Treaty, re-arm, and "restore" the rights of the federal states. This was to be done with Reichswehr support and under the armed pressure of the paramilitary leagues. Popular support for such measures was to be gained through media manipulation and the forcing of a confrontation with France. However, none of these plots came to fruition.<br />
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The probable aim in the mind of August von Cramon, was not a literal return to the 19C, but a recognition that a unified Germany had led to a disaster for the country in World War I. He may have thought that there were a risk of further militarism, as indeed happened with rise of the Nazi party, which might also lead to a second disaster for the general population. As he was a high ranking army officer and diplomat based in Vienna, but had not personally been in a position of defeat on the front during World War I, he was uniquely positioned to view the events in Germany a little more dispassionately than those fighting on the front or at headquarters in Berlin. With those views in mind, von Cramon likely thought that a constitutional monarchy would not be acceptable to the Allies, but they might accept a return to the German States political structure of the 19C.<br />
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With the benefit of hindsight, such a return to the German States would have prevented World War II, and led to a lot more stability in Europe. Europe would look a much different place in the 21C with many more prosperous small countries of the size of Luxembourg, Lichtenstein and Monaco.<br />
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In May 1926 General August von Cramon informed the Ex-Kaiser (shown below along with his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm (with a cigarette in hand!) in a miniature portrait from this collection, see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-j-t-portrait-of-crown-prince.html" target="_blank">View</a>) about the United Vaterländischem associations of Germany, and the need to strengthen President Hindenburg with advice of the Kaiser's own preferences: "In the future is dictatorial rule. You need to make a decision, whether to go to the right or left, whether it be monarchy or republic. The sooner the decision is made, the better." See <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=62&url=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.zeit.de%2Ftext%2F1992%2F28%2FMan-rufe-Mir-Ick-komme-Amen&ei=WwnvR7enOZfQpgTVgeGKAQ&usg=AFQjCNEWR2Ix-AKkFVBMXvH6ha_sp7LuzQ&sig2=UVdU0nXrSU2ZoU046d73Iw" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','62','AFQjCNEWR2Ix-AKkFVBMXvH6ha_sp7LuzQ','&sig2=UVdU0nXrSU2ZoU046d73Iw')">70 ZEITLAUFTE</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9l95AqPlVuFY11BKgA2ArALmqkV-jak-4D4sfIhMx0oETG5ImSbKH-KedpsGzYyy5czbNMbOVX9O0BcxYOUT52sLvuGDZ7VCzGaHJe19GMkuKJEHYvd0Vd39uHxsh3xg-Qhtmw/s1600-h/ds+1356+outofframe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310175450505759346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9l95AqPlVuFY11BKgA2ArALmqkV-jak-4D4sfIhMx0oETG5ImSbKH-KedpsGzYyy5czbNMbOVX9O0BcxYOUT52sLvuGDZ7VCzGaHJe19GMkuKJEHYvd0Vd39uHxsh3xg-Qhtmw/w270-h400/ds+1356+outofframe.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 216px;" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Prince Wilhelm<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQNAVbMJHOdJ6VL4AgJKuC_wNqs_tSGmUnuju4PxG0idD6T_73Kgt42tScfY1oLzvj0b_YlzjDM3r7czLlJ9y02XXx3aXu9ObT8hMaunwTig5aOpQrOsb2roXrAhvqMEc8BfVUA/s1600-h/Kopie+von+wilhelm2h.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182714557269588850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQNAVbMJHOdJ6VL4AgJKuC_wNqs_tSGmUnuju4PxG0idD6T_73Kgt42tScfY1oLzvj0b_YlzjDM3r7czLlJ9y02XXx3aXu9ObT8hMaunwTig5aOpQrOsb2roXrAhvqMEc8BfVUA/w214-h327/Kopie+von+wilhelm2h.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaiser Wilhelm<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
From this distance it is a little difficult to fully evaluate von Cramon. He was obviously involved in many political machinations at the Austrian Court during WWI, so would have learned a lot about "playing the political game".<br />
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He must have known well, all the major power brokers in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's.<br />
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It appears with the GAPM in the 1920's he was scrupulous in following German policy dictates. Given his membership of the Order of St John, and the various comments here, he seems to have been an honourable man concerned about the move towards a dictatorship within Germany.<br />
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Judging by the inscription on the miniature and the research undertaken as recorded here, it appears von Cramon was an aide to the ex-Kaiser during the latter's exile in Holland. They were both officers of the Order of St John and there is a reference to von Cramon being one of several visitors to the Kaiser for his 80th birthday on Jan 27 1939 at <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=48&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.wtal.de%2Fberlin%2Fhenn1.htm&ei=2bLsR53yHqewoQSH0ciBAQ&usg=AFQjCNHdUtTv1Bn3oAp2si84aw5Gb3p0iw&sig2=p17Ka9uAwfGKj7KbnZxinQ" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','48','AFQjCNHdUtTv1Bn3oAp2si84aw5Gb3p0iw','&sig2=p17Ka9uAwfGKj7KbnZxinQ')">Meine Erinnerungen an Wilhelm II</a><br />
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The newspaper photo shows August in a procession, as a member of the Order of St John. He is the one who is leading the procession. From von Cramon's shared membership of the Order of St John with the Kaiser, and especially given he had the miniature painted in 1938, the year a decree was issued banning officers from belonging to St John and to the Nazi Party, it seems certain von Cramon was "old school" and thus opposed to Hitler and Nazi Germany.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDX9A2TnZ5XLvvlOcuqGqSzIWyn8baeIAZpxsMQemxVez0ObvhXgBgI0xefKd43ELxmxfTvfNF_t_INdDf5jy9C62cgx6Ip9nt-N9QaNt_jO6FH2bG4mRc-vi10f1-3Ja_fTePg/s1600/image003.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDX9A2TnZ5XLvvlOcuqGqSzIWyn8baeIAZpxsMQemxVez0ObvhXgBgI0xefKd43ELxmxfTvfNF_t_INdDf5jy9C62cgx6Ip9nt-N9QaNt_jO6FH2bG4mRc-vi10f1-3Ja_fTePg/s640/image003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>
A question for other historians to consider, is whether von Cramon was ever in a serious position to prevent the rise of the Nazi Party. Von Tirpitz had died in 1930 and von Cramon turned 70 in 1931, so was probably too old to seriously consider running for political office himself. As he had not been a field officer during World War I, his name was not known to the public and thus he had no wide base of support.<br />
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However, I feel von Cramon was not far off being in a position to successfully act as a rallying point against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. A recent book, <i>Monarch by the grace of Hitler? Wilhelm II and the Third Reich</i>, by John C. G. Rohl (2014), includes a note;</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIoJYBUz3B7cu6JvZJHuNWduaWvv6Q1_JSZAGcYASpBxZsY5nhoW-h-1vdAunWQnrwAQ6DE3y1iD4Qn6r-4N_5JypaX6F37hk9GFbsdF4k512ENE7m1Kxzc_d1Cc6SU0Gci_eKQ/s1600-h/ds+1185+helzel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184410210358049986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIoJYBUz3B7cu6JvZJHuNWduaWvv6Q1_JSZAGcYASpBxZsY5nhoW-h-1vdAunWQnrwAQ6DE3y1iD4Qn6r-4N_5JypaX6F37hk9GFbsdF4k512ENE7m1Kxzc_d1Cc6SU0Gci_eKQ/s320/ds+1185+helzel.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Prince Ernst August<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">"In October 1933
General von Cramon submitted a memorandum to
President von Hindenburg entitled 'Arguments in
Favour of a Return of His Majesty the Kaiser and
King to his Rights on the Occasion of his 75th
birthday'"</span></span><br />
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With the benefit of hindsight, the Allies would have been far better advised to have left the Kaiser as head of state after WWI, with reduced powers, rather than forcing his abdication. It would have been impossible for Hitler to have achieved power, had the Kaiser still been the nominal head of state.<br />
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After WWII Emperor Hirohito was retained with reduced powers and so revolution was never an issue in Japan. Events in Germany had likely influenced the decision to allow Hirohito to remain as Emperor.<br />
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Also, the Allies realised that reparation payments were likely to cause unrest, so it was better to grow the economy of Germany after WWII through the Marshall Plan, than punish it as happened after WWI.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr-eooJPwHKIxZtoqPTSPrRb-nZfequ7IFSaZSLIpEDFY_OrkAlRt32sqaPUM6nD3pNH_R3KZI9X8cBIj8Sq3d-xYCov2bq9CN3WDdwou5us-w9t4l0H9ILunx3EEliV5ja171A/s1600-h/ds+1319+decorations.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182588847871802018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr-eooJPwHKIxZtoqPTSPrRb-nZfequ7IFSaZSLIpEDFY_OrkAlRt32sqaPUM6nD3pNH_R3KZI9X8cBIj8Sq3d-xYCov2bq9CN3WDdwou5us-w9t4l0H9ILunx3EEliV5ja171A/s320/ds+1319+decorations.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 238px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 238px;" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Order of St John and the July bomb plot against Hitler</span><br />
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A close up of von Cramon's decorations is shown here for any interested medal collector - see full key of the medals and decorations further below which was provided by a kind member of the von Cramon family.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Also shown for any medal collecting visitors to this blog, is another miniature in enamel on copper, of a well decorated German officer from this collection painted by Adolf Helzel, - now identified as Crown Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale.<br /><br />He is believed to be the only man to be a senior officer in armies on both opposing sides, the German as a colonel, and the British as a general, in World War I, see </span><a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures2.blogspot.com/2006/04/helzel-adolf-portrait-of-german.html" target="_blank">View)</a><br />
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The Order of St John decoration worn by von Cramon is interesting, as on 2 July 1938, being the year his miniature was painted, Rudolf Hess issued a decree (78/38) from Adolf Hitler, which forbade anyone having common membership of the NSDAP and the Order of St John.<br />
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At this time only about 10% of the Order members had become National Socialists.<br />
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The Order was not dissolved or forbidden by the decree, but it could not accept new members. The Order remained, with members now wearing a finger ring with a medal cross.<br />
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Later, a number of German members of the Order of St John were involved in the July 1944 bomb plot against Adolf Hitler and were subsequently executed. No doubt those members of the Order were well known to von Cramon and, if he had still been alive in 1944, it seems entirely probable he would have been in favour of the plot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaKuIx5xP14T5sk03sC7ETYbQnlctzQTlSzveWnIQdmG4tR9K2DidVz58KVSzwgLJKr3T7WXIEiuPVV5cY-ycQKRo9H4FDWdLNzpjVyysSIVdTE29Px3tZjYcwcYG0tXk3ZrSWg/s1600-h/rahtgens927.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186711037223420082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaKuIx5xP14T5sk03sC7ETYbQnlctzQTlSzveWnIQdmG4tR9K2DidVz58KVSzwgLJKr3T7WXIEiuPVV5cY-ycQKRo9H4FDWdLNzpjVyysSIVdTE29Px3tZjYcwcYG0tXk3ZrSWg/s400/rahtgens927.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> In fact one of the brave plotters who was executed on Aug 30, 1944 was Karl Ernst Rahtgens shown here, who was married to Johanna Helene Rahtgens, nee von Cramon.<br />
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After gaining his school-leaving certificate, Karl Ernst Rahtgens decided on an officer’s career and joined a Potsdam infantry regiment in 1928 as an officer cadet senior grade. He married Johanna von Cramon, with whom he had a daughter and two sons. In 1937 Rahtgens passed the entrance examination for the War Academy, and was transferred to general staff training in Berlin in 1938. In the early years of the war he fought on various fronts. In 1942 he was detached as lieutenant colonel on the general staff to the “Führer’s” headquarters, the “Wolf’s Lair”, near Rastenburg in East Prussia. He became friendly there with Günther Smend, with whom he discussed the war situation. These discussions coincided with the views of Rahtgens’ uncle, General Field Marshal Günther von Kluge, who sympathized with the resistance for a while, but eventually wavered. Rahtgens was involved in the preparations for the coup attempt of July 20, 1944. He was arrested by the Gestapo in Belgrade in August 1944. Karl Ernst Rahtgens was sentenced to death by the People’s Court on August 30, 1944 and murdered the same day in Berlin-Plötzensee. see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gdw-berlin.de%2Fbio%2Fausgabe_mit-e.php%3Fid%3D172&ei=IuX6R5OOMonahQO3sfAi&usg=AFQjCNEysUyd4C4J7KJyXNF-oHjL9khvHQ&sig2=-DnFfFw77jerDPBJL4I68A" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','4','AFQjCNEysUyd4C4J7KJyXNF-oHjL9khvHQ','&sig2=-DnFfFw77jerDPBJL4I68A')">GDW - Biographien</a><span class="m"> </span><br />
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Johanna von Cramon was a granddaughter of General August von Cramon and, like her husband and grandfather, a very brave lady. Her father was Friedrich August Emil Arthur Kurt Erdmann von Cramon.<br />
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Johanna was reportedly interviewed in early 2008 for a proposed new documentary starring Tom Cruise and directed by Bryan Singer, when Johanna was the last living widow of one of the executed plotters, see<span class="w"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schwartzcompany.com%2Fvalkyrie_2008.pdf&ei=D6fsR6X1NJ-SpwS85p2BAQ&usg=AFQjCNHKJGHbvu0FYfJSFtSLWJit2cESWg&sig2=OfYtTmHmrHC6ZC54iQK2GQ" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','7','AFQjCNHKJGHbvu0FYfJSFtSLWJit2cESWg','&sig2=OfYtTmHmrHC6ZC54iQK2GQ')">OPERATION VALKYRIE: THE PLOT TO KILL <b>HITLER</b></a> When interviewed, Johanna gave an emotional account of her husband being dragged before the judges. Karl and Johanna Rahtgens had a daughter and two sons.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTC-8250JVEpLQfaIKI3Eb7E5tW4xACqUcA16wtwm0VJBrhca8OufrCK1zUEHMVkpXUBev4ucqt4fshEhDfd1LbACwRBsZiwhylVX9Mwaof6s7xLkV33XquMn3pWfZ0oKi1-SiA/s1600-h/00089181_cover159.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187463383088751442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTC-8250JVEpLQfaIKI3Eb7E5tW4xACqUcA16wtwm0VJBrhca8OufrCK1zUEHMVkpXUBev4ucqt4fshEhDfd1LbACwRBsZiwhylVX9Mwaof6s7xLkV33XquMn3pWfZ0oKi1-SiA/s400/00089181_cover159.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> Although I have not read it, there appears to be a 248 page paper-back book about the life of Johanna Rahtgens, written in German by Johanna Helene Erdmute Rahtgens, and titled "Abschied und Neubeginn", (I think this translates as "Farewell and a New Beginning") ISBN 3833489189<br />
<br />
The cover is shown here and it appears to be available as a print on demand book for 20 Euros, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.books-on-demand.dk%2Findex.php%3Fid%3D296%26auto_id%3D136492&ei=W5D9R7mLNpyKtAKmyODWCw&usg=AFQjCNHvTUeHu7IUnNH_mU2tKSL7tRADig&sig2=xuFCzjSWvujYLdgokS7sRw" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','2','AFQjCNHvTUeHu7IUnNH_mU2tKSL7tRADig','&sig2=xuFCzjSWvujYLdgokS7sRw')">BoD - Books on Demand GmbH: AutorenPortrait</a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />The family of August and Helene von Cramon</span><br />
August von Cramon died on 19 Oct 1940 at Quaritz, Schlesien, Prussia. He and Helene were married at Quaritz on 29 Sep 1887 and had five children.<br />
1.Friedrich August Emil Arthur Kurt Erdmann von Cramon (15 Jul 1888-9 Sep 1934) who married Anna Elisabeth von Prittwitz und Gaffron on 21 Jun 1915.<br />
2.Gunther Theodor Otto Erdmann von Cramon (26 Nov 1889-24 Mar 1945) who married Alexandra von Winterfeld on 3 Aug 1935<br />
3.Helmuth Georg Johannes Adalbert Wilhelm Erdmann von Cramon (6 Oct 1892-20 Nov 1966) who married Magherita (or Daisy) Gruschwitz on 23 Sep 1916. He was an export merchant.<br />
4.Johanna Charlotte Katharina Therese Antonie Helene von Cramon (14 May 1898-25 Mar 1982) who married Ernst Heymann on 13 Sep 1921. He was Jewish and was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp in Aug 1944. This was despite his distinguished WWI record. In 1912 he completed the baccalaureate examination on the Wilhelm Gymnasium in Berlin, in May 1914 he joined the Air Force in 1915 until 1919 as a captain in the Air Force. Heymann was severely wounded several times, was awarded the Iron Cross class I and II and was recommended for the Order of the House of Hohenzollern. They were married as Protestants and the family lived in Holland, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fghetto-theresienstadt.de%2Fpages%2Fh%2Fheymanne.htm&ei=2i7vR9TFOYWIpATJiZV0&usg=AFQjCNGF3evtjF5FY1Y5zyYf32oaoepr0g&sig2=1WhgG54bIPqIqOY-Gaw9dw" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','3','AFQjCNGF3evtjF5FY1Y5zyYf32oaoepr0g','&sig2=1WhgG54bIPqIqOY-Gaw9dw')">Theresienstadt Lexikon: <b>Ernst Heymann</b></a><br />
5.Agnes Elisabeth Antonie Susanne von Cramon (19 Oct 1903-20 Mar 1970) who married Fritz Laack (1900-1990) on 30 Mar 1935. Fritz Laack was an educator, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.die-bonn.de%2Fservice%2Fbibliothek_archive%2Farchiv_bio_fritz_laack.htm&ei=7UbvR4XWM5vSpgT6iaCFAQ&usg=AFQjCNHPPfPyMBGOfnuAYV0MPU3L1s5pyQ&sig2=BcHL1d4IjcQyDY4qTIFxsg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNHPPfPyMBGOfnuAYV0MPU3L1s5pyQ','&sig2=BcHL1d4IjcQyDY4qTIFxsg')">Kurzbiographie <b>Fritz Laack</b></a><br />
<br />
The history of the pair of miniatures from 1938 until they were sold at auction in Hatfield, PA, USA in 2008 is currently unknown. All the above children died in Germany. It seems the family may have lost all their estates at the end of WWII, as the estates would have ended up behind the Iron Curtain in Poland and so perhaps a branch emigrated to America after WWII.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUcIXAdfbrTsTPrUj7mz8H3GtzjPafxx9DQ0b1WhGx4n3qVQ30JRjcaGx4cesWCUG68DqsMIWXqhjVchdUrqrfvsNtCVA2IBd_mpRG5p7i4ysWg51NMvgLb6yXVxAAHoBCsyZhw/s1600/August+v.+Cramon002.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUcIXAdfbrTsTPrUj7mz8H3GtzjPafxx9DQ0b1WhGx4n3qVQ30JRjcaGx4cesWCUG68DqsMIWXqhjVchdUrqrfvsNtCVA2IBd_mpRG5p7i4ysWg51NMvgLb6yXVxAAHoBCsyZhw/s320/August+v.+Cramon002.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred Gruschwitz<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The portrait of Alfred Gruschwitz is believed to be that of another in the family, and the father of;</p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Isabel Nanny Margherita "Daisy" von Cramon (Gruschwitz)<br />
Birthdate: November 12, 1896<br />
Birthplace: Neusalz an der Oder, Kreis Freystadt, Schlesien, Germany</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Immediate Family: <br />
Daughter of Georg Alfred Gruschwitz and Eliza Barbour Gruschwitz<br />
Wife of Helmuth Georg Johannes Adalbert Wilhelm Erdmann von Cramon<br />
Mother of Enzio Helmuth Erdmann von Cramon-Taubadel; Oktavian von Cramon; Rainer von Cramon and Private<br />
Sister of Hildegard Katharina von Kessel; Franz Alexander Johann David
Gruschwitz; Victoria Gruschwitz; "Lisel" Eliza Gruschwitz; <br /></span></p><p>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Moni von Cramon and the Nazi Party</span><br />
At least one von Cramon met with semmior members of the Nazi Party. See quote; "Earlier, in September 1934, the aristocratic lady Moni von Cramon, one of the leading German Buchmanites, was personally invited to the Nuremberg Nazi Party rally by Heinrich Himmler. Moni, in turn, invited Frank Buchman." Also "In August 1935, Frank Buchman and Moni von Cramon were again invited to the Nuremberg Nazi Party rally by Heinrich Himmler, and again they discussed religion and politics with Himmler." quoted at <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orange-papers.org%2Forange-rroot240.html&ei=vAPvR_TSO6nmpgSzwthw&usg=AFQjCNG_ny3gdKTrTtlbv6lLHg35IRqRBQ&sig2=sNORBxvT15F8x4FpGVHOSA" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','5','AFQjCNG_ny3gdKTrTtlbv6lLHg35IRqRBQ','&sig2=sNORBxvT15F8x4FpGVHOSA')">Religious Roots: <b>Nazi</b> Partying</a> and <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=10&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FOxford_Group&ei=vAPvR_TSO6nmpgSzwthw&usg=AFQjCNHY77jVN1v63wu178HAkhuQul-HFQ&sig2=T2w3vSmouM27WCNY7JVRbg" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','10','AFQjCNHY77jVN1v63wu178HAkhuQul-HFQ','&sig2=T2w3vSmouM27WCNY7JVRbg')">Oxford Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></p><p>Moni was a member of the Oxford Group of Frank Buchman. Moni being her nickname, see <br />
</p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Frosienernotizen.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fmoni-von-cramon%2F&usg=AOvVaw0zd6U0tkXE2MWgNO7ythRE" data-ved="2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Frosienernotizen.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fmoni-von-cramon%2F&usg=AOvVaw0zd6U0tkXE2MWgNO7ythRE"></a></span></p><h3 class="LC20lb DKV0Md"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Frosienernotizen.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fmoni-von-cramon%2F&usg=AOvVaw0zd6U0tkXE2MWgNO7ythRE" data-ved="2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiEpOqsrfrwAhV4wjgGHWb0C7UQFjAPegQIExAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Frosienernotizen.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fmoni-von-cramon%2F&usg=AOvVaw0zd6U0tkXE2MWgNO7ythRE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Moni von Cramon | Rosiener Notizen</span></a></span></h3><p></p><blockquote type="cite"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<p><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">Close ties
to the imperial family existed through Bernhard's
older sister Anna Elisabeth Erdmann von Prittwitz and
Gaffron (1892 - 1963), known as Anneli in the family.
</span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">In 1915
she married into the von Cramon family, who in turn
had close ties to the court of Wilhelm II. </span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">- By the
way: I only found out about Anneli's existence in the
course of researching my "ancestors in the shadows". </span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">After her divorce in
1927, she developed under the name Moni von Cramon
into a sought-after speaker for the Oxford Group; </span><span style="vertical-align: inherit;">a
questionable group that was active worldwide after
1938 under the name of “Moral Armament” (MRA) and is
still pending processing.</span></span></p>
</span></blockquote><p>Frank Buchman was a Swiss American who founded the "Oxford group"which started as a Christian Group, but later widened its activities to provide "an ideology for democracy" in the struggle against Communism. Although Moni met Himmler, the following long quotes indicate her as unsympathetic to his views;</p><p><a data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frankbuchman.info%2FgetBookChapter.php%3FStyle%3DBookDisplay%26Range%3DAll%26Chapter%3D21&usg=AOvVaw0fBBDgCKJdRNvRibWJNxhv" data-ved="2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frankbuchman.info%2FgetBookChapter.php%3FStyle%3DBookDisplay%26Range%3DAll%26Chapter%3D21&usg=AOvVaw0fBBDgCKJdRNvRibWJNxhv"></a></p><h3 class="LC20lb DKV0Md"><a data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frankbuchman.info%2FgetBookChapter.php%3FStyle%3DBookDisplay%26Range%3DAll%26Chapter%3D21&usg=AOvVaw0fBBDgCKJdRNvRibWJNxhv" data-ved="2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjKqIDmqYvxAhVDWH0KHbLLDGgQFjALegQIAxAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frankbuchman.info%2FgetBookChapter.php%3FStyle%3DBookDisplay%26Range%3DAll%26Chapter%3D21&usg=AOvVaw0fBBDgCKJdRNvRibWJNxhv">HITLER AND THE GESTAPO CLAMP-DOWN</a></h3><p></p><p>(Page 203) <i>When, in early 1933, Moni von Cramon arrived back in Silesia from
being with Buchman in America and Canada, she soon found that the local
Nazis 'did not want to have me running my school because I was too
Christian. They wanted me to run it for them on their lines, but I
refused.'<a name="EREF-19-1"></a><a class="endnoteref" href="http://www.frankbuchman.info/getBookEndnotes.php?Book=fbal&Chapter=19&Page=203&Style=BookDisplay#E-19-1">1</a>
The school was closed and she took a house in Breslau, renting her own
home to a family. Unknown to her, a daughter of this family was a Nazi
informer with instructions to search the house. She found an anti-Nazi
pamphlet which had been given to Frau von Cramon by a French woman in
Geneva and which she had stuffed into a bookshelf. On its cover was a
swastika with its points hacked off by an axe so that a simple cross
remained. Correspondence with theologians was also found. News reached
Frau von Cramon in Breslau that she was to be arrested.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Just at this moment a leader of the SS in Silesia, a childhood
friend, arrived unannounced to ask Frau von Cramon a favour. He wanted
to marry her husband's niece. Would she introduce him to the girl's
family? Frau von Cramon told him her predicament, and he took the matter
out of the hands of the local officials on the grounds that so serious a
case could only be dealt with at Himmler's headquarters, where a friend
of his was an adjutant. So, after a nerve-racking 250-mile drive to
Berlin, Frau von Cramon suddenly found herself face to face with
Himmler.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Himmler received her, standing, in his large study. He kept her
standing at the other end of the room, while he consulted a file. Taking
out of it a picture of Buchman, he said: Is this Dr Buchman, the leader
of this movement with which you work, a Jew?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'I don't know his ancestry, but I don't think so. I'll ask him,' she replied.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'Do you think he will tell you?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'If he knows, why shouldn't he?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'What is the relation between the Oxford Group and Jews?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'I can't give an answer to that because the Oxford Group is not an organisation. It has no rules or statutes.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'How often have you been in England this past year?' Himmler continued.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'Three times, I think.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'You're wrong. Four times.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Then he told her the exact state of her bank account and asked how
she had got the money for these journeys. Frau von Cramon replied that
she had sold a treasured possession, her grand piano. 'I have faith that
God leads people and gives us what we need when we do what He wants us
to do,' she added</i>.</p><p>(Pages 234-35)<i> Moni von Cramon reported the profound shock which the 'night of the
long knives' of June 1934 - when the leaders of the storm-troopers and
many of his non-Nazi opponents were eliminated by Hitler - had been to
Buchman. 'It took a lot to win him back to any hope for Germany,' she
told Hans Stroh. At Oxford house-parties Buchman did not encourage
speeches either for or against Germany. This Stroh appreciated. 'We were
surprised to find Christians abroad who did not automatically condemn
all Germans,' he recalls. 'The diagnosis was the same, but their
attitude was different. But our problem back in Germany remained - and I
had been aware of it long before meeting Buchman: how to be faith-full
and yet sober and realistic, how to keep the distinction between faith
for the destiny of a changed Germany and a sober diagnosis of the moral
and political reality of the situation.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>In the following year, 1935, Himmler telegraphed to Frau von Cramon from Berlin: 'I expect you on Tuesday at ten o'clock.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'Mother was very ill,' recalls her daughter, Rosie Haver. 'She had
been with Buchman to Norway and then in hospital in Denmark, where they
thought - wrongly, as it happened - that she had a brain tumour. She had
just been brought home when she got Himmler's telegram. She decided she
had no choice but to go, and handed over responsibility for us children
to her brother. Before leaving she made her will. She did not think she
would return.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'My brother wanted me to refuse to go,' wrote Frau von Cramon. 'I
trembled at what might happen, but I remembered the commission which God
had given me to bring a message to the leaders of Germany.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>At the SS headquarters in Prinz Albrechtstrasse, she was kept
waiting alone in a room lit only by a window near the ceiling from ten
in the morning till seven at night. She thought that either
concentration camp or death awaited her. Then, at seven, Himmler came in
with his ADC, SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'So you are going to arrest me? Am I going into a concentration camp?' she asked.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'My ADC will take you in my car. The driver knows where,' replied Himmler.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'Where am I being taken?' Frau von Cramon asked Wolff in the car.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'I am not authorised to tell you,' he replied.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>In the dark, the car stopped in front of a house guarded by SS men. Out stepped an unknown woman.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'I'm Frau von Cramon. Who are you?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'I'm Frau Himmler. Didn't my husband tell you? You are to be our guest for a few days.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>It was Whitsun. The first two days passed as though it were an
ordinary visit, including party games in the evening. On the third day,
Himmler said to Frau von Cramon, 'I wanted to test you,' and offered her
the job of initiating social welfare work among their women and
children.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Frau von Cramon declined, saying that she was, in Himmler's eyes,
three unforgivable things - she was not a member of the National
Socialist Party, she was an aristocrat and she was a Christian. Himmler
brushed aside these objections. Finally she said, 'I can't give you a
definite reply yet, because I am working with Buchman's team, and I
wouldn't take any step without letting him know about it.</i></p><p><i>Himmler looked perplexed. 'Are you so tied up with this foreigner and his group?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>She replied, 'Yes. I have accepted the total claim of God on my life, and it was these people who showed me the way to that.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>'Well,' said Himmler, 'as far as I am concerned you can ask them.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>During these conversations Himmler, who had been brought up a
Catholic, said to her, 'Tell me, who is Christ?' He maintained it was
'Jewish' to push off on to others the responsibility for one's sins. 'I
do not need Christ,' he said.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>She asked, 'What are you going to do about your sins which no one can take from you and which you cannot put right?'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>He replied, 'As an Aryan I must have the courage to take the responsibility for my sins alone.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>She said, 'You cannot do that, because your disobedience to God is robbing Germany of the plan He has for her.'</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>He concluded, 'I can do without Christ because Christ means the
Church and my Church has excommunicated me.' Several times he came back
to this topic.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Moni von Cramon did not like Himmler's offer. She and all her
family distrusted Hitler. But she continued to feel that it was her duty
to maintain contact with the leaders of Germany so that perhaps some of
them might change, as she had changed. That, she thought, was the only
hope of averting disaster.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>After consulting with Buchman, Frau von Cramon agreed to do what
she could for the German women, stipulating that she would on no account
compromise the basic convictions of her faith or her freedom of
operation. This was conceded; but she was speedily neutralised by others
in the organisation. She functioned in name for eighteen months, in
fact - due to illness - for five months, and exercised some influence in
restraining hotheads, but was removed when her enemies found that she
had warned an Oxford Group friend who was helping Jews in Berlin. After
that she never saw Himmler again. She was finally dismissed when, during
an investigation by Frau Scholz-Klink, the national head of the Nazi
women, she refused to take the oath of total obedience to the Party.</i></p><i>
</i><p><i>Buchman used the brief breathing-space provided by the Gestapo's
knowledge that he had a friend at Himmler's court to express his message
through local meetings, conducted under the eyes of police agents, and
through the printed word. As late as 20 May 1937 the North West
headquarters of the Gestapo reported that 'the Group is beginning to
spread effectively through Germany and is trying, apparently with
success, to gain influence in Party circles' and stated that 'the
Reichsführer SS has ordered the maintenance of the strictest observation
of the movement'.<a name="EREF-21-1"></a><a class="endnoteref" href="http://www.frankbuchman.info/getBookEndnotes.php?Book=fbal&Chapter=21&Page=233&Style=BookDisplay#E-21-1">1</a></i></p><p>Page 240. <i>Buchman had had very little contact with Moni von Cramon during this
period. But early in 1938 he asked if she could come to Esbjerg in
Denmark. Her daughter went with her, and describes the occasion: 'We met
Frank on the ship sailing to England. He said to us, "War is coming,
and we won't see each other for a very long time. You will go through
hard times, but never forget, we are not alone." We knelt down and
prayed, then we went back down to the quay and the ship went out, and
Frank stood on the deck and made the sign of the Cross for us and for
Europe, and that was the last we saw of him.' Frau von Cramon's son
never returned from Stalingrad, and her son-in-law, Carl Ernst Rahtgens,
a nephew of Field-Marshal von Kluge, was executed on Hitler's orders
after the 'Generals' Plot'.'</i></p><p><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bertram von Cramon-Taubadel and his family</span><br />
The family of General von Cramon's brother, was also affected by WWII. Bertram Heinrich Werner Erdmann von Cramon-Taubadel (28 Sep 1869-13 Feb 1952) achieved the rank of Major and married Suzanne von Jordan (8 Apr 1875-1 Jul 1959) on 21 Apr 1897. They had several children, all of whom died in Germany:<br />
1. Hans Juergen Erdmann von Cramon-Taubadel (14 Nov 1901-6 Nov 1985) who married firstly, Viola von Kaufmann-Asse (17 Aug 1912-4 Nov 1997) on 16 Nov 1933 and secondly, Ilse Wehrs (8 Nov 1919-16 Jun 1988) on 5 May 1948.<br />
2. Reimar von Cramon (23 Dec 1904-14 Jul 1987)<br />
3. Renate Katharina Susanne von Cramon (4 Nov 1906-5 Apr 2003)<br />
4. Susanna Catharina von Cramon-Taubadel (29 Sep 1915-8 Nov 2002) who married firstly, Hermann von Kapp-Herr Lockwitz on 27 Apr 1943, secondly Eckhard von Schack on 14 Feb 1948 and thirdly, Wilhelm von Karnap on 6 Feb 1976. Her first husband, Hermann von Kapp-Herr was a fighter pilot killed on 24 Apr 1944 after less than a year of marriage. He was credited with 7 kills.<br />
<br />
Some references suggest that two children continued to use the name Von Cramon-Taubadel, and two others reverted to the name von Cramon.<br />
<br />
The reason for this may be connected to the following event in 1940. I am indebted to Rick Kent of www.ipmsstockholm.org for the following information, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ipmsstockholm.org%2Fmagazine%2F2000%2F02%2Fstuff_eng_profile_bf109.htm&ei=Uq7uR5__LYuqpwT6-MR5&usg=AFQjCNEFocyPGHkvkdOAV5A1ECxtfacajw&sig2=uAbGUIA6N_sDSdM39jH1LQ" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','1','AFQjCNEFocyPGHkvkdOAV5A1ECxtfacajw','&sig2=uAbGUIA6N_sDSdM39jH1LQ')">Camouflage & Markings of Messerschmitt Me 109</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ3Y6-QU2DbQUBVaAAaXxNkkux16GaFwEQzKLwVk7ZhfdE7ePqGqDfS6cq-qRNvCCJfekVQ-2rkqJkM4jDoqe0xyPay50-7Rp1BRJCtREbFzj72foQOCnnRSUL9qhIZ4tABKK_g/s1600-h/bf109_12.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183288407850007618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ3Y6-QU2DbQUBVaAAaXxNkkux16GaFwEQzKLwVk7ZhfdE7ePqGqDfS6cq-qRNvCCJfekVQ-2rkqJkM4jDoqe0xyPay50-7Rp1BRJCtREbFzj72foQOCnnRSUL9qhIZ4tABKK_g/s400/bf109_12.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a> "The picture is of the Messerschmitt Me 109E-3, of Stab, JG53 flown by Major Hans-Jurgen von Cramon-Taubadel (Geschwader Kommodore) from Thevile-Maupertus (Cherbourg-Ost), France, August 1940"<br />
<br />
"This 109E-3 has an interesting story attached to the markings. Major von Cramon-Taubadel was married to a Jewish wife, Viola von Kaufmann-Asse, a fact which came to the attention of Hermann Goering during the Battle of France. As a result Goering ordered that the whole of JG 53 must remove their famous Ace of Spades badge and paint a red band around the noses of their aircraft as a mark of shame. In the Autumn of 1940 von Cramon-Taubadel was removed as Geschwader Kommodore and Goering told them they could reinstate their "Pik-As" badge; this they did but at the same time, as a mark of protest, all the pilots of JG 53 had the Swastikas painted over on their aircraft. Thus it is easy to recognise JG 53 109's late in the Battle of Britain as they have no Swastikas on them."<br />
<br />
"The profile shows Major von Cramon-Taubadel's aircraft with the red band marking when the Geschwader were operating from Cherbourg and the Channel Islands during the Battle of Britain."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">(In a strange way this has a connection with me as a collector, as my parents honeymooned at St Peter Port, Guersney, Channel Islands in 1937 and met my subsequent godmother, Dorothy Falla (Doff Falla) who was a resident of the Channel Islands during the German Occupation.)</span><br />
<br />
The Geschwader commanded by Major von Cramon-Taubadel was one of the most effective during the Battle of Britain, claiming 258 kills for 51 pilots killed or POW. For more on this, see <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FJagdgeschwader_53&ei=Uq7uR5__LYuqpwT6-MR5&usg=AFQjCNFncgbzT0e8BZHd2gGdsynPn6rKVQ&sig2=YyA4WHhJHBUq14hpqJ-JFA" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','3','AFQjCNFncgbzT0e8BZHd2gGdsynPn6rKVQ','&sig2=YyA4WHhJHBUq14hpqJ-JFA')">Jagdgeschwader 53 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> Thus it maybe that two of Hans-Jurgen von Cramon-Taubadel's siblings dropped the Taubadel from their name as a result of Nazi pressure associated with his Jewish wife. Later in WWII, from Nov 1943 to 18 Dec 1944 Oberst Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel was Chief of Staff of the German Airforce in Finland.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The von Tschammer und Quaritz family and the Nazi Party</span><br />
On Helene von Tschammer und Quaritz's side of the family there seems to have been a closer connection with the Nazi Party. The following comes from <a class="l" href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fde.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FUdo_von_Woyrsch&ei=bwPwR923MZm2pgTh0YGIAQ&usg=AFQjCNG-EEMiTrjerUr5cFpTbkIbh1MY9Q&sig2=F1UfqjgIK91kfjtevaYGIw" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','2','AFQjCNG-EEMiTrjerUr5cFpTbkIbh1MY9Q','&sig2=F1UfqjgIK91kfjtevaYGIw')">Udo von Woyrsch – Wikipedia</a> Udo Gustav Wilhelm Egon von Woyrsch (24 Jul 1895-14 Jan 1983) was married on 21 Sep 1934 to Inez Freiin von Tschammer und Quaritz (21 Dec 1908-?) the daughter of Siegfried Freiherr von Tschammer und Quaritz and Edith von Lieres und Wilkau. Thus Inez was probably the niece of Helene.<br />
<br />
Von Woyrsch was an officer in WWI, but in 1921, took over his father's estate. Early on, he joined the Nazi Party (No. 162,349) and SS (No. 3,689). On 1 Jan 1935 he was appointed SS-Obergruppenführer, the then second-rank in the SS.<br />
<br />
In 1934 von Woyrsch during the Röhm-coup, ordered the shooting of his rival Emil Sembach. From Mar 1933 to the end of the war, he was responsible for the constituency of Wroclaw member of the Nazi Reichstag. In addition, he was appointed to the Prussian State Council.<br />
<br />
On 3 Sep 1939 Himmler appointed him "special commander of the police" and he received command of the Operations Group V. campaign in Poland. On 15 Apr 1941 he became General of the Police Board. From 20 Apr 1940 to 11 Feb 1944 von Woyrsch was a police leader, but he lost this office, because he was involved internal Nazi intrigues in Dresden.<br />
<br />
Woyrsch was, in 1948, sentenced to 20 years in prison, because of his "membership in a criminal organization", but in 1952 was released. In a second trial in 1957, concerning the Rohm-coup, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released in 1960.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</span><br />
It is sad to view the 1938 portraits of August and Helene Von Cramon when they were proud and respected. Shortly thereafter, in early 1939, they attended the 80th birthday of the Kaiser, but Helene died later that year and August died in 1940.<br />
<br />
Later, one of their nephews was persecuted by Goering for having a Jewish wife, the husband of their granddaughter was executed for being involved in the July 20 1944 plot against Hitler, and a son-in-law was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp. A nephew-in-law was imprisoned for war crimes. Quite likely after WWII the family lost any estates which were situated behind the Iron Curtain.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00t3uSl9Vpw84D-FWz8r6z3wAJ7RS7olk2ZulgWDIGOJzDlUucOYgPGTRSiQhFbitRQrfEP2V0S5h9gLHUwemKa6DZI-hVCTEcBhjBidlfawufBxrIA2BmRGdVFVbyr-CuER30g/s1600-h/ds+1165+franz+josef.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183309526204202066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00t3uSl9Vpw84D-FWz8r6z3wAJ7RS7olk2ZulgWDIGOJzDlUucOYgPGTRSiQhFbitRQrfEP2V0S5h9gLHUwemKa6DZI-hVCTEcBhjBidlfawufBxrIA2BmRGdVFVbyr-CuER30g/s320/ds+1165+franz+josef.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 276px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 213px;" /></a>The miniatures above show August and Helen von Cramon at their peak and they would have been devastated if they could have known what would happen to the family after 1938. With losses not only from WWII itself, but apparent internal family conflicts arising from the effects of Jewish persecution and involvement with the Nazi Party.<br />
<br />
Although there was not a civil war as such, in Germany in the 1930/1945 period, the conflicts within families have parallels with the family conflicts that arose within the English Civil War of the 17C and the American Civil War of the 19C.<br />
<br />
That is not to say any one of these eras was more or less honourable than another, but in each case families were sadly torn apart by the beliefs of certain family members who found themselves on different sides of the idealogical division.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Final words</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsx5EYKiv26RR1SmHKkibVDKqKb9zsG2l5UNLEMdwmoyTnwFyeLstQyp8onnuJK1-OC9Cb6QD0yY_wcM5OwDAyvnYB9Huu_35YV-6_9RUbnjeWkF94ZALgZ0-vEyM_USNI73f3w/s1600-h/ds+1319%261320+pair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183686306505210978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsx5EYKiv26RR1SmHKkibVDKqKb9zsG2l5UNLEMdwmoyTnwFyeLstQyp8onnuJK1-OC9Cb6QD0yY_wcM5OwDAyvnYB9Huu_35YV-6_9RUbnjeWkF94ZALgZ0-vEyM_USNI73f3w/s200/ds+1319%261320+pair.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>As a collector this research brings some events of the first half of the 20C into sharp relief, and it is a little humbling to know that these two miniature portraits were handled by someone who must have shaken hands with Kaiser Wilhelm, Emperor Franz-Joseph of Austria who died in 1916 (the extra image of an Austrian officer is not Emperor Franz-Joseph, see <a class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/06/unknown-portrait-of-emperor-franz.html" target="_blank"> View</a> in this collection), Emperor Charles I of Austria, President Paul von Hindenburg of Germany, and no doubt also at some stage the various Nazi leaders. 1319, 1320<br />
<br />
Later - Alix von Cramon has kindly supplied further attractive images of August, c1909, and Helene, c1890, together with the following image of the honors and decorations of August von Cramon, together with a key to their names. Clicking on the images should link to larger versions.<br />
</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpW92K2gHy3i-1MsYvH-fmnR2Kb8VbhcJSIGh3cGNhnSHoEM3ePrdpteJEoj8TcRUC25-urIldi_CEFv97U20DqOUw3VQ8hnbRqf9zQXAoeDp47vhTcHJY_kj_7D_ZVAYYLE0Fw/s1600/Helene+von+Cramon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpW92K2gHy3i-1MsYvH-fmnR2Kb8VbhcJSIGh3cGNhnSHoEM3ePrdpteJEoj8TcRUC25-urIldi_CEFv97U20DqOUw3VQ8hnbRqf9zQXAoeDp47vhTcHJY_kj_7D_ZVAYYLE0Fw/s320/Helene+von+Cramon.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SjLc_auCtwL2_-EBNPNiXjNdCs-CylrO1LFwrFbQh72v1nwcUXAApIM_CcQ5ba3-Q7AgdxD3og7IBZAsbZEo4eqW1BT9vmil8FmLfc2Q3SEtyWOrHfTIlUt6eMYbEGVvaCrxXw/s1600/August+von+Cramon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SjLc_auCtwL2_-EBNPNiXjNdCs-CylrO1LFwrFbQh72v1nwcUXAApIM_CcQ5ba3-Q7AgdxD3og7IBZAsbZEo4eqW1BT9vmil8FmLfc2Q3SEtyWOrHfTIlUt6eMYbEGVvaCrxXw/s320/August+von+Cramon.jpg" width="149" /></a><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F08K4thVSH1cJizLuSyVReDeNNZK7JXd8uCp_OWdBI0TvORpVJ_Qm161y42NQ9QAahi7Uq10ZBaaCYQrsenlNck6rEBq06HVJLMQsc5Ocwq4qT9ua1CcHUtVb7Q5YPtkR3wAlA/s1600-h/ds+1319%261320+pair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAUtH7BH3Bw1mhr24v80DSNRwrsNcjH1_grzH9Gd-D9GzaagFv6LjHXZNhRltkdguK6GHii_cK8Sav6VctQe2Dv1rQ2sWw8J2qT7wv6t-xt0S5FBndxR6RpHFrjluMlgYQX_mlg/s1600/ds+1319+n+honor+badges+August+von+Cramon-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAUtH7BH3Bw1mhr24v80DSNRwrsNcjH1_grzH9Gd-D9GzaagFv6LjHXZNhRltkdguK6GHii_cK8Sav6VctQe2Dv1rQ2sWw8J2qT7wv6t-xt0S5FBndxR6RpHFrjluMlgYQX_mlg/s320/ds+1319+n+honor+badges+August+von+Cramon-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNRbAXEhBkPxWhtEclhCJGRTQPXLYZzIQrPK0VtLDc0n_ni32MLP2dswEn2oc3xktUwoocXO2-mg1Z2eS6oJsV7MLUM6734Aooti4Ji_APjB7fxeyjokRo2p3DdTDUycNDFvXjw/s1600/ds+1319+n+honor+badges+August+von+Cramon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5P3DpyHb2X-atr2BWc86f7wSViBlKFflPiHbgjts6aSjtEEMfJ_hJdCyceg3CSKeNdRMLThV4MF61OXUr3_xQ258G263trzFPNIYzadceq33vnMNvtjv0zOhUXAvAUcJihLrDg/s1600/ds+1319+n+by+number.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5P3DpyHb2X-atr2BWc86f7wSViBlKFflPiHbgjts6aSjtEEMfJ_hJdCyceg3CSKeNdRMLThV4MF61OXUr3_xQ258G263trzFPNIYzadceq33vnMNvtjv0zOhUXAvAUcJihLrDg/s320/ds+1319+n+by+number.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocEjbICinseKjjJaYHAPoMz1Uqim2dIp7sWWJx3sRYdLCcRae6263f4pCLemtKvIqtSclC0RfP8BANSshuzSh6S6xT7xmxjUD1oQPs3AIi-Hh2XvH2vak77QkRMDPHlLklLyGFQ/s1600/ds+1319+n+Explanation+of+the+numbered+honor+badges.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocEjbICinseKjjJaYHAPoMz1Uqim2dIp7sWWJx3sRYdLCcRae6263f4pCLemtKvIqtSclC0RfP8BANSshuzSh6S6xT7xmxjUD1oQPs3AIi-Hh2XvH2vak77QkRMDPHlLklLyGFQ/s320/ds+1319+n+Explanation+of+the+numbered+honor+badges.jpg" width="232" /></a><br />
A kind German speaker has provided a preliminary translation of the decorations, which may need minor revisions;<br />
1 Royal Prussian red eagle order, commander of an order, on oak leaves and swords and crown on a black and white band.<br />
2 Royal house order of Hohenzollern, commander of an order with swords on a black and white band<br />
3 Royal Bavarian military earned order star with swords<br />
4 Royal Bavarian military earned cross, second class, with crown and swords<br />
5 Badge of rank of the Royal Prussian flank adjutant<br />
6 Royal Belgian Leopold's order, commander cross with swords<br />
7 K&K Austrian war memory badge from 1929<br />
8 German "Iron Crosses from 1914", first and second classes<br />
9 Turkish "Iron Half-moon"<br />
10 Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Griffin order, Silhouette cross<br />
11Prince of Lippe cross of honor, second class with oak leaves and swords<br />
12 Royal Bavarian military badge 2nd class before 1905<br />
13 Holder with dates 1859-1929 on a band of the Royal Prussian Hohenzollern badge to remember the 70th birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm II.<br />
14 Hungarian St Stevens order, Silhouette Cross<br />
15 Grand Duke of Oldenburg war cross first class<br />
16 Epaulette of a general lieutenant and general adjutant of Kaiser Wilhelm II (name badge and crown)<br />
17 Royal Bulgarian military order, star and badge on a shoulder band<br />
19 Royal Italian St Mauritius order and Lazarus order<br />
20 Japanese Imperial order of the holy treasure<br />
21 Austrian Imperial Marianne cross on a band of the German Knight Order<br />
22 " " Leopold's order commander cross with war decorations<br />
23 " " Badge of bravery silhouette<br />
24 " " Order of the "Iron Crown with war decoration<br />
25 " " Military badge 2 class<br />
26" " " Order of the "Iron Crown" Big Cross, star and order on a shoulder band<br />
27 Belgian Leopold's order, commander cross<br />
28 Austrian Imperial Franz-Josephs order<br />
<br />
On the badge clip from left to right:<br />
Bavarian military badge, 3rd class, in gold<br />
Badge of St.Michael, knights cross<br />
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg house badge of the Wendish crown<br />
Grand Duke of Oldenburg, house and earned badge, Knights cross,<br />
Royal Sachsen, Albrecht's order, Knights cross.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsnkIb_65uzP7VV6jHy8BJd0d-MXoo_Wjwf5Nll8JncHEQMFEu4aqyYVPemRLpWIOmI2ZU9JDIDxpdN_IVuS7RsmMSkVaveYQ-wtloIlADr5HQWvnXYci9CQsL9JbS9gSHnQfXg/s771/cramon+funeral.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="771" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsnkIb_65uzP7VV6jHy8BJd0d-MXoo_Wjwf5Nll8JncHEQMFEu4aqyYVPemRLpWIOmI2ZU9JDIDxpdN_IVuS7RsmMSkVaveYQ-wtloIlADr5HQWvnXYci9CQsL9JbS9gSHnQfXg/w658-h456/cramon+funeral.JPG" width="658" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral of August von Cramon in the Invalid's Cemetery in Berlin, 1940</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzw__Sl0XDIzG2jsDmesE9NCxGeEcKMbyIT9YBs0WehBseSq4mTV9FUw67HTqym4DvQUf4r_LzuLzD1JFcAfsPpAIYC5IkOluXaBDi_ygpeOsJYpIYej9tmDJshGxnhJg8a4qDg/s439/von+cramon+grave.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzw__Sl0XDIzG2jsDmesE9NCxGeEcKMbyIT9YBs0WehBseSq4mTV9FUw67HTqym4DvQUf4r_LzuLzD1JFcAfsPpAIYC5IkOluXaBDi_ygpeOsJYpIYej9tmDJshGxnhJg8a4qDg/s320/von+cramon+grave.JPG" width="320" /></a>
</p><p></p><p><br />
Much later, February 2013 - A descendant of August and Helene who lives in the United States, Benjamin von Cramon has recently found some interesting film fragments among the family papers. He advises<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">;</span><br />
<br />
'Here's a link to the 16mm footage featuring August and Helene von Cramon: <a href="http://vimeo.com/60323749">http://vimeo.com/60323749</a>.
I have nothing but questions about this man, his role in the events of
the first and possibly second World War. I'll keep you posted as I
learn.<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span>And here's a link to the very interesting 35mm nitrate footage I told you about: <a href="http://vimeo.com/60254050">http://vimeo.com/60254050</a>. Both clips have audio.<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">'</span><br />
<br />
Benjamin would be very happy to hear any further information about the clips if any visitor can assist?<br />
<br />
Later again, July 2013 - I have been contacted by an interested visitor who has found the above information helpful in his research into orders and medals. He writes;<br />
<i>With great pleasure I have read the article about the Cramon portraits. That
was not only because of my general interest in history, especially the
imperial time of Germany. The Cramon portraits were the clue for identifying
an order bar of my collection! I collect orders and medals for about 10
years. The main field of my interest are order bars and the identification
of the former owner. This is possible with sources like Ranklists, award
rolls and other, if the combination of decorations on the bar is unique
or/and you´ve got other additional information. But often there is no
chance to find the person behind a bar, if the decorations are too "common".
That is the case with the Cramon bar. The decorations on his bar are an Iron
Cross 2nd class, an officer cross for 25 years of service, the co called
centenary medal and three 2nd class crosses of Great War decorations from
other former German states. These medals have all award numbers of hundreds,
thousands and in the case of the Iron Cross 2nd class millions and there are
no complete award rolls of most of them. But if you do these identifications
for some time, you get a good feeling of the kind of person, you are
searching for. Here it is very likely, that we have a high ranking navy or
army officer (a general or admiral), because on this bar is no Prussian or
other order to be found. You would expect any kind of order if an officer
did 25 years or more of service. But because of the general regulations the
lower order was to be returned on promotion to a higher class. These higher
classes were worn as neck orders (2nd classes or so called komtur classes of
orders) or on a sash (1st classes or so called grand crosses). Therefore the
knight cross classes ( 3rd or 4th classes of the orders) to be worn on the
bar disappear step by step with these promotions. The classes of orders were
relatively strict chosen suitable to the rank of the honored person. So if a
person is wearing only 2nd and 1st classes of orders (neck or sash orders),
we can be certain he reached a general/admiral or a comparable civil rank.
That´s was I supposed of the later Cramon bar. Some days before a friend of
mine, very keen in these identifications, found the bar on the Cramon
miniature portrait in his huge data base of portraits and was so kind to
give me this valuable information. I would like to share this news on the
Cramon story with you and would be happy, if you could use it for additional
illustration of your article in the net.
I am a member of the</i><br />
</p><p></p><pre wrap=""><i><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-ordenskunde.de/DGOWP/">http://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-ordenskunde.de/DGOWP/</a></i></pre>
<i> and wrote some
articles for our magazine </i><br />
<pre wrap=""><i><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-ordenskunde.de/DGOWP/vereinsmagazin/">http://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-ordenskunde.de/DGOWP/vereinsmagazin/</a></i></pre>
<i> The article for the next edition I am sending in an extra mail. It is about
the identification of a photo portrait and a bar, only by the worn
decorations. To my great pleasure the person behind was the Prussian farming
minister Clemens Freiherr von Schorlemer. I would like to use information
that you found on August von Cramer for an similar article about him in the
magazine of the DGO. Could you be so kind and give me the sources you used? </i><br />
<br />
I have put the writer in contact with the von Cramon family and am very grateful for the extra history about medals and orders, and it is good to know when information is helpful to other collectors - I do not know what we would do without the internet!! <br />Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26209668.post-61867114272218421342007-11-30T19:40:00.000-08:002008-11-13T05:22:16.172-08:00Till, Franz - portrait of a lady<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsyuyvx63wMesuGXaNP9fY2QVEW6lprXy2IjhyphenhyphenOlmS8VnSiEh8EwqC0T7HZLA7x6WJ0l-SogO8KNhGipEAtLm0Y9sXWG7M37NOplqJAqRcBmST1HUFpN91HSSxVTWKpma4-lORQ/s1600-r/ds+1284+Franztill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvuz7S7qjUecgWHtILAV2H8dPUOBW5VR-PnZGwgN6FnNjdbj3TkcgOdttDyLCqiSi2K0RfOXSLH6GwkZDMnNlBfo5qIfSalPFPD2ioHbUlKjzX0VIH3-BR6-XAiCejLGmAl34Qw/s320/ds+1284+Franztill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138844871694554034" border="0" /></a>Here is a miniature portrait of an elegant lady, who is probably German, and it is signed "F Till Dresden". It dates from 1890-1910.<br /><br />The signature is that of Franz Till of Dresden, who Blattel advises was active around 1866. Blattel notes that he was known for portraits on porcelain, copies, and photographs.<br /><br />Blattel makes a further note; "Porcelain Painting Company: Vienna and Meissen style". Thus it is not clear if perhaps, Franz Till started as an individual painter, and then grew into a company which was active for the remainder of the 19C.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUHDlUbiQFqPPNvGSmS9Q3wuC759SiyvgDXClehWFe4pjyzKDCOR0G9_6Adn5MCqUUI4RhO7pJl-o8X3e1OisLRfdjTj3_H-9ZsfdApwAI4BhM1aeGhW6KnuoUVf9EGiJbCEuBQ/s1600-r/ds+1284+signature.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZanx6HUlvaVA1v8zrxlgyZMdcTu-huEsoREUhVxfXXZpZ6wiCmrPWEo6nDExBnriWFB02ZcvDwMQgl51kr4cgsEXWaURwGKL9I7KPKfNkYxlSdbiYmUlw9aaYWyLTyawsckJXAQ/s320/ds+1284+signature.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138844875989521346" border="0" /></a>There is another miniature on porcelain in this collection of a girl which is also signed "F Till Dresden", see <a target="_blank" class="link" href="http://european-miniatures.blogspot.com/2006/04/till-franz-portrait-of-young-girl.html">View</a><br /><br />The portraits may be painted by copying a photograph, or they may be painted over a faint photographic base, in a manner similar to the way Matthieu De Roche painted over a faint photographic base, but which was on an enamel on copper ground.<br /><br />Two large porcelain plaques signed "F Till Dresden" are shown here. They were sold at auction recently, the boy (10in x 7.5in) for $4300 and the nun (12.72in x 7.5in) for $5000. No doubt there are many more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhu9aZ3BKTzd4rjqi7RZy6YjUDvoMXNJXhJsGGe8DShiaDGqn8VUQoF-7tuNv-ASqBYyjBB6k1n47MTA8C4M-g4mPkMT3oKRuo1UkrZJGhr1N1DQmWlVVoBw-7EeRI1SNbTyRCQQ/s1600-r/Till5000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyeLA8SdIbMR8ttTcR81SuvF6LrW6rqLfyaTBmmWFX7Rvd0a_OSW7jVB00ShDxTq60zTWO4G9IZqyEZuffTeT709DggmUjYUH9Mv9Oh3GZp73wWCtTaWojr0zsmsKeBy2D0Jk2Q/s320/Till5000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138863881219806162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-P-3RQx7hFBnetwBCmz5eecnRE7ADUoIzNSSFMZyDsbQz8k92cg_E_jQAC5VcToObA5JD6oB6mX8QlptujDwAhyb-ROZfcu3J78F797M2lMj-8S0yuQJdqNLifOnPTle-Ave9w/s1600-r/till4300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXdnpOOBQ4lFXeUjciWnXMyyTz4hJYMkjmtvM_HZJ93zcKrIFkNDM4slXE6DC-TsdmVaVszAMZ-y8Do22fQwr2ovHCWEFEzZIVdPEnxBe3Ahc0053qbkdc8kDpi_h9dEvEqPC1g/s320/till4300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138863885514773474" border="0" /></a>So far no on-line articles have been found which discuss the painting of portraits on porcelain like these examples.<br /><br />Any references or more information about the process would be welcome, as it seems that the subject is much under-researched.<br /><br />Unfortunately, little is known of the sitter, but a flavour of her privileged environment can be gained from the following references.<br /><br />The only fact the vendor (a descendent of Dr Erhard Hartung von Hartungen) knew, was that the sitter had been a patient of Dr. Erhard Hartung von Hartungen at his very famous and elegant homoeopathic sanatorium. This specialised in treating nervous dieseases at Riva am Gardasee, (now Riva del Garda) and was at the northern lake end of a lake which in the extreme north of Italy. Before World War I much of the area was owned by the Hapsburg family, but they had to cede it after the end of the war.<br /><br />There is a 1995 book about the Sanitorium; "Ai confini della Mitteleuropa: Il Sanatorium von Hartungen di Riva del Garda : dai fratelli Mann a Kafka gli ospiti della cultura europea" by Albino Tonelli. (I think this translates as "On the shores of Middle Europe: The Von Hartungen Sanatorium on the Garda River: the hosts of European culture, from the Mann children to Kafka".)<br /><br />There is an interesting series of photographs of five generations of the Von Hartungen family at <b><a href="http://homeoint.org/photo/h2/hartungc.htm" target="_top">homeoint.org/photo/<wbr>h2/hartungc.htm</a></b> so the sitter in the miniature may have known more than one generation of the family.<br /><br />At <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=6&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DwVz2auyt81sC%26pg%3DPA196%26lpg%3DPA196%26dq%3D%2522von%2Bhartungen%2522%2Briva%26source%3Dweb%26ots%3DpJpGN-8vN_%26sig%3DXNQ5hWlhUa1MpgSpzgTp5HrY-9s&ei=dNxQR7meI5SKpAS2oJjiCA&usg=AFQjCNHxuFVITQ7fFNPLWDMnptHoelgh7w&sig2=wjBf6c_FjQSThTI1fURj0A" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','6','AFQjCNHxuFVITQ7fFNPLWDMnptHoelgh7w','&sig2=wjBf6c_FjQSThTI1fURj0A')">The Cambridge Companion to Kafka - Google Books Result</a> it is commented that a reference to the Sanatorium run by Dr Von Hartungen in a book by the famous author Franz Kafka is one of the very few references in Kafka's work where he can be seen alluding to a real locale and a real event. The event being the suicide of retired Major-General Ludwig von Koch of the Austrian army, on 3 October, 1913 when Kafka was visiting the Sanatorium during the months of September and October 1913.<br /><br />The famous German author Thomas Mann also stayed at the Sanatorium for six weeks in 1901, see <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=16&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vqronline.org%2Farticles%2F1999%2Fwinter%2Fcullander-why-thomas-mann%2F&ei=HuZQR6D_PImIpwSdkPXhCA&usg=AFQjCNFoCk0HC2QJgoMC5qA1eAmeyNmcAA&sig2=4AaUscuyP0oAK4vY7G0E1g" class="l" onmousedown="return rwt(this,'','','res','16','AFQjCNFoCk0HC2QJgoMC5qA1eAmeyNmcAA','&sig2=4AaUscuyP0oAK4vY7G0E1g')">VQR » Why Thomas Mann Wrote</a> as did Sigmund Freud. 1284Don Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01981381449429373197noreply@blogger.com0