Maria, the eldest daughter of Nicholas I and
Alexandra, was born on August 6th 1819. Short of stature, it was
noticed how much she resembled her father.
Photograph (below) of the profile of Grand Duchess
Maria c1840s
With Nicholas’ classic Greek profile and tall figure,
the emperor was considered one of the most handsome men in Europe.
Christian Daniel Rauch’s sculpture (below) of Nicholas
I in the 1820s
Portrait (below) of Nicholas I c1840s
It is perplexing that Maria was called the most
beautiful of the three daughters. The contemporary view may have been influenced
by the esteem held for Catherine the Great that both Nicholas and Maria
resembled.
V. Ericksen’s painting (below) of the profile of
Catherine the Great
Standards of beauty are so very changeable. I do think she was a rather handsome woman. Striking rather than beautiful. And her portrait by Winterhalter is one of my favorites of his work. : )
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