Portrait Of Princess Alexandra
The “Portrait of Princess Alexandra (1844 – 1925)” c1863 by German painter Richard Lauchert (1823 – 1869) is a striking depiction of royalty during the mid-19th century, capturing the grace and beauty of the princess at the height of her youth. Lauchert, known for his detailed and realistic portraits, uses the medium to immortalize Princess Alexandra in an exquisite representation of aristocratic elegance. Through a careful examination of the work, the viewer is transported to a moment in time where opulence, formality, and grace converge. The princess’s image is surrounded by soft yet captivating textures and delicate brushstrokes, showcasing the artist’s ability to render not just the subject’s physical appearance but also the cultural and emotional essence of the time.
Table of Contents
Subject and Composition
The focal point of the portrait is Princess Alexandra herself, a figure of grace and elegance. She is dressed in an elaborate white gown that is the epitome of mid-19th-century fashion, characterized by an ethereal lightness and flowing fabric. The gown’s voluminous layers are painted with an intricate attention to detail, each fold and ripple carefully highlighted to create a sense of movement. The soft, flowing material contrasts with the more structured elements of the dress, such as the corset or the tighter fitting bodice, suggesting the artist’s skill in balancing the rigid and the free. The princess’s white gown also symbolizes purity and nobility, a fitting choice for the young princess.
Her hair is styled in loose, natural curls, with strands subtly falling across her face and shoulders, contributing to the portrait’s soft and naturalistic atmosphere. The color palette of her attire, consisting predominantly of whites and soft cream tones, reflects the aristocratic fashion of the time, while her gentle expression adds a layer of complexity to the portrait. She is neither overtly joyful nor solemn but instead radiates a serene calmness, embodying both royal dignity and quiet introspection.
Princess Alexandra’s posture is poised, with her right hand delicately resting on her waist while her left arm is folded in front of her in an almost protective gesture. The careful placement of her hands conveys grace, suggesting a woman of royal stature aware of her position yet also intimate in her portrayal. The light falling on her figure creates subtle contrasts between shadow and illumination, further accentuating the volume of her dress and the soft textures of her skin and face.
Background and Setting
Behind the princess, the background remains relatively simple and unobtrusive, serving to draw attention to the subject rather than the surrounding environment. A softly blended golden-brown hue dominates the background, providing a warm, neutral contrast to the bright whites and pale tones of her gown. The simplicity of the background allows the princess to stand out, her figure almost ethereal against the blurred, softened tones. This artistic choice is indicative of the formal portraiture style typical of royal depictions in the 19th century, where the subject’s presence is highlighted against a more abstract or subdued backdrop, emphasizing their importance and individuality.
The landscape is rendered minimally, offering just a hint of color that does not detract from the subject’s prominence. This allows the viewer’s gaze to remain focused on the princess, elevating her as the central figure within the artwork.
Style, Theme, and Mood
Richard Lauchert’s style in this portrait is grounded in the traditions of realism, common in mid-19th-century European portraiture. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail, especially in the rendering of the fabric and textures, showcases his skill in creating lifelike imagery. Lauchert’s use of lighting, shadows, and soft color gradients enhances the realism, making the portrait not just a representation of the princess but also a study of how light interacts with the human form and clothing.
The theme of the portrait is one of aristocratic refinement and regal dignity. Princess Alexandra is depicted in a moment of serene contemplation, which adds a layer of quiet majesty to the work. Unlike some royal portraits that may evoke power or grandeur through strong poses or dramatic settings, Lauchert’s work captures an intimate, almost tender moment. The princess is portrayed as a young woman at the threshold of maturity, poised yet youthful, embodying the ideals of femininity, nobility, and beauty that were celebrated during the era.
The mood of the painting is tranquil and dignified. There is a certain softness to the expression of Princess Alexandra, a sense of tranquility and inner calm that contrasts with the more ceremonial and public nature of royal life. This portrait speaks not only to the grandeur of royalty but also to the person behind the crown—an individual caught in the delicate balance of public expectation and private emotion. The softness of the lines, the gentle expression, and the light quality of the gown combine to create a mood that is both serene and sophisticated.
Materials and Technique
Lauchert’s use of oil paints is evident in the smooth texture and depth of color that defines the portrait. The layers of oil paint applied to the canvas provide richness and dimension, particularly in the princess’s gown, where the light and shadows reveal the volume and movement of the fabric. The artist has employed a delicate balance between sharp, defined areas—such as the outline of the face and the intricate details of the dress—and softer, more diffused areas, like the flowing veil and the background.
The brushwork is fine and controlled, with the artist’s mastery in capturing the intricate folds of fabric and the delicate skin tone of the princess. The subtle gradients of light across the princess’s face and gown create a gentle interplay between realism and idealization, which was typical of royal portraits during this period. Lauchert’s technique contributes to a sense of intimacy, making the viewer feel as though they are in the presence of the princess herself, rather than simply observing a historical figure from the past.
Conclusion
The “Portrait of Princess Alexandra” (c1863) by Richard Lauchert is a remarkable example of 19th-century royal portraiture, blending realism, idealism, and elegance. Through this work, Lauchert captures not just the external appearance of the princess but also the serene and dignified spirit that she embodied as a member of the royal family. The composition, style, and mood of the portrait together create an image that transcends time, offering insight into the life of a royal woman during the 19th century. It remains a stunning representation of both the subject and the era in which it was created.
About The Artwork
This portrait of Princess Alexandra was commissioned by her mother-in-law Queen Victoria in 1863.
She was married to the Queen’s eldest son the Prince of Wales Albert Edward who would later become Edward VII.
Originally Queen Victoria wanted her favorite artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805 – 1873) to do the portrait, but he was of ill health and she instead gave the commission to Richard Lauchert.
It was said by Albert’s elder sister Victoria, the Crown Princess of Prussia; that Princess Alexandra was one of the most lady like and aristocratic looking people she had ever seen and “outrageously beautiful”; while Queen Victoria thought her to be a “dear, lovely being”.
This is a remastered digital art reproduction of a public domain image that is available for purchase as an acrylic, canvas, metal, wood print online.
