a few miniatures of interest from Europe

August von Goethe by Karl Josef Raabe

August did not come close to the exhalted heights of cultural fame achieved by his father Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He is sadly more known as the untalented child of a genius. Although having a relatively good marriage and three children, August turned to alcohol, which may have played a role in his early death on a trip to Rome, age 40, in 1830. Karl Josef Raabe (1780-1849) was a German painter, engineer, and architect. In 1811 he went to the court of Weimar where he painted miniatures, including Goethe and his son August.

Napoleon's son the Duke de Reichstadt, From the Miniaturenkabinett in the Hofburg, Austria

Napoleon's wife Empress Josephine miniature by Daniel Saint

The style of female dress “empire waist” was popularized by Josephine, spreading across the Atlantic to become the preferred fashion in the new Republic as well (as seen on Ann Penington by Gibby, who is holding a miniature silhouette, and on the "lady holding her most favorite jewel" in the entry before this one). The widow Rose de Beauharnais snared Napoleon Bonaparte’s immediate interest the moment she stood before him to plead that her young son might keep his father’s sword. She was unable to have children, and after much emotional turmoil, Napoleon felt obliged to divorce his beloved Empress Josephine. He quickly married a Habsburg princess who had their son, the Duc de Reichstadt. The young man was sent to live in Austria after Napoleon was forced abdicate and was exiled. Suffering from TB, the only child of N died in 1832 at the age of 21.

As mentioned before, in the time of no phone or twitter, small messages were sent back and forth, sometimes several times a day. A message from Napoleon to Josephine:
“You will be leaving the city at noon. But I shall see you in three hours. Until then, mio dolce amor, I send you a thousand kisses—but send me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.”

~

Did Angelica...

Goethe in the Campagna; 1787 by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein

...paint Goethe? was the question by a commentator.

What I can recall, without spending oodles of time right now researching my books (I have a WONDERFUL exhibition book Angelika Kauffmann, 1741-1807 "Eine Dichterin mit dem Pinsel"~ [a poetess with a brush] is that yes she did, but neither Angelica nor Goethe were satisfied with the result, the result being that this painting is not well-known.
Portrait painting was considered to be the highest of the high in art, precisely because it is SO DIFFICULT to achieve a precise likeness of the sitter.

The painting that IS well known of Goethe is that done by Johann H. W. Tischbein pictured here (above), and I give the whole name of the painter (seen above image) because he stems from a painting family of Tischbeins.
Now, note carefully in this painting, Goethe's resemblance to The Skater by Stuart (see entry 2/1/09 & Goethe by Tischbein 2/7/09). Robust and healthy physique, contemplative, out enjoying nature, in Tischbein Goethe is taking a break from a long walk in the countryside of Rome, in Stuart William Grant is also "getting away from it all". Goethe in his early days in the small dukedom of Weimar, walked hill and dale, and loved it. Walking as a form of transportation was very common...
Tischbein met Goethe in 1786 in Italy, and these two also became good friends, travelling together, sketching and painting the Roman ruins.
[more on the Goethe and Charlotte von Stein story] Goethe loved this trip, but did not realize the extent of Charlotte's unhappiness that he left for the trip during the dark of night, without even telling her (thus she suffered the humiliation of not being able to tell her friends whither her intimate friend had gone), and then stayed away from Weimar for two years (which was unplanned). But Goethe needed this break, for perhaps he knew, that the relationship had .....no.....realistic future. But also the fact is Goethe had dreamed about this trip from the time he was a boy. So the perfect storm was reached, he left, and broke a ten year intimacy apart.

Colors of a Palette; Johanna Schopenhauer painting

“An der Esplanade, in der nähe des Theaters, hatte sie eine Wohnung gemietet; sie wird als äußerst geschmackvoll eingerichtet beschrieben, mit warmen Teppichen, seidenen Vorhängen, großen Spiegeln und schönen Mahagonimöbeln. Hier traf man sich schon bald regelmäßig, unterhielt sich beim Tee, zeichnete, spielte Klavier und sang dazu.“
Weimar 1806. The widow Schopenhauer moved to Weimar with the express intent of carrying on a 'salon' which would be frequented by Goethe, knowing that contact with this famous man would insure eternal fame. She was right. At this moment Goethe married his maiden, Johanna was the first to 'invite' Christiane to tea. By this small action she gained Goethe's eternal gratitude.
Art, music, conversation; all were required elements of a good upbringing in German/European/American upper-class society at this time. The exchange of personal sketches was part of every-day life. Certainly gifting a Stuart portrait was ....beyond compare....
In the current slow-down of this economy, should we try to get back to these basics? YES!

Painting "Johanna und Adele Schopenhauer" is by Johanna's personal friend Caroline Bardua. Quote (my translation) "On the esplanade, near to the Theatre, she rented an apartment; it could be described as being decorated extremely tastefully, with warm carpets, silk draperies, large mirrors and beautiful furniture of mahogany. Soon all would meet here regularly, talking over tea, drawing, playing piano as well as singing." from Weinachten bei Goethe Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt Stuttgart Munchen 1999, p. 82

Goethe (by Tischbein), physically & stylistically similar to William Grant (The Skater)?

Goethe in der Campagna, oil on canvas 1786-88 by Wilhelm Tischbein-- (detail)
Click on The Skater in entry before this to see the physical resemblance between the two men.

Yes, this portrait was done a few years after The Skater by Stuart. But, at the time that William Grant commissioned his painting, Goethe was THE CULTURAL SUN radiating all over the globe, after his literary success of young Werther. (This is the story of unrequited love which drives the sensitive young man to suicide; what?! the notion that men can experience emotion?!!! a novel, revolutionary suggestion at the time.) I suggest that Stuart and Grant being, at the time, cultural nobodies, that the earlier painting by Stuart was strongly influenced by the style and social philosophies as then embodied by Goethe. It can easily be speculated that Suart, upon seeing Grant, was startled by Grant's physical similarities to Goethe (or also likely William Grant mentioned that others indicated physical similarities to G>), which led to conversation on the German super-star, possibly leading to the suggestion-Very Unusual as an Arrangement- that Grant be depicted enjoying sport out on the ice on a chilly wintery day!
Also, Goethe hadn't yet let his love-life taint his reputation.
To refresh your memory, how did Goethe tarnish his own celebrity? He COHABITED with an unmarried maiden by the name of Christiane Vulpius, he DID NOT marry her until many years later! This poor lady was snubbed by the "high society" in Weimar, but some condescended to "receive" her, to please Goethe.

Before photography and rather than the expensive oil portrait--there was the Silhouette

This is Goethe in front of his house (given to him by the Duke) in Weimar. In the background, to the left, is the house of the Duke and Duchess,
next to it is the house of Charlotte von Stein, and the structure to the right is the house of Goethe. This would date the silhouette to later than 1782, the year he moved in.

Goethe's house is still standing today, with his own original carriage in the garage. It is now a museum. A lovely garden graces the back of the house.

The silhouette just below is Charlotte von Stein's family (von Schardt) enjoying a game of chess. Her father stands behind her mother, who is playing the game with her brother. Note the formality. Eventually the confines of this world motivated Goethe to finally take off on his two year trip to Italy.

Charlotte von Stein. (1742-1827)

Charlotte endured very difficult times immediately after the Napoleonic conquest of Germany in the Battle of Jena in October of 1806. French troops went rampaging through the town of Weimar, pillaging and plundering. Charlotte was left with not much more than her pet birdies. Goethe, on the other hand, who was also at home, utilized his close connection to Napoleon (they had met in Erfurt), and French troops entered his house, but he was spared any plundering. Connections! How little has changed it seems.

From a letter describing von Stein: "Frau Kammerherrin, Stallmeisterin und Baronesse von Stein aus Weimar; Sie hat ueberaus grosse schwarze Augen von der hoechsten Schoenheit. Ihre Wangen sind sehr rot, ihre Haare ganz schwarz, ihre Haut italienisch wie ihre Augen. Ker Koerper mager. Ihre Stimme ist sanft and bedrueckt. Ernst, Sanftmut, Gefaelligkeit, leidende Tugend und feine, tiefgegruendete Empfindsamkeit sieht jeder Mensch beim ersten Anblick aus ihrem Gesichte."

Goethe left on his trip to Italy (1786) in a very secretive manner; while taking a 'cure' in the same time and place as Charlotte, he left before daylight without telling anybody. Charlotte was not only hurt and shocked, but humiliated. They corresponded, but the 'relationship' never resumed the same level of intimacy as once existed, and was finished when Goethe returned (two years later) and within months took a young lover, whom he did not marry until 1806 (in the middle of the Battle of Jena). The entire train of events set off a non-ending, bone-rattling scandal.

In 2003, the first Christmas market was held at the villa, now part of "Weimar Classics"--This is how the Schloss looks today.

Helen, mila, and myself were lucky enough to be able to drive out to Gross-Kochberg on one chilly wintery day, with the expectation of a day imbued with culture; for this is where Charlotte von Stein, aristocrat in the court of Weimar (don't forget, a miniscule dukedom back then but already on the map of the GRAND TOUR) would retreat to escape from the strict etiquette characteristic of the nobility of the time. A Christmas market in a historically genuine spot! Music! Costumes! Lovely gardens! Local/traditional crafts! lets see, whats the name for the German wine....how quickly we forget......
Well. It was a freezing day, unfortunately. That meant that for the most part everyone and everybody tried to cram into the (small) cellar, where the craft booths were. I lost my friends. It was hot, stuffy, the crafts were..... nichts. na ja. Suddenly, across the sea of heads, I saw the smiling face of Michael, my mila. Ahh!! l It was the first event at the Schloss. mila helen and I ended up out in the garden, mature, tall trees, covered with a sprinkling of snow...but it was just too darn cold. That was our day at the Schloss Kochberg. The expectations were more charming than the reality. But I would have never forgiven myself, if we had missed it...