Mark Schuler: Maria Leopoldine, Princess of Esterhazy

Artist: Mark Schuler
1951 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9.25 by 11.25 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

Maria Leopoldine, Princess of Esterhazy, was probably as interested in pretty clothes and the activities of her friends as any woman of her day. But throughout her life her abiding interest was art. She was born in 1778, in Eisenstadt Castle, near the Hungarian border. Her parents, Prince Nikolaus II and Princess Maria Josefa Hermenegilde, both loved art and were delighted when their daughter developed into a talented artist. As a young woman she studied under the guidance of Antonio Canova, the head of classic art in Italy. Later it was Canova who introduced her to her future husband, Prince Mortiz of Liechtenstein. Together they pursued their mutual interest in the arts and were pleased when Canova, impressed with Princess Leopoldine's beauty and personality, created a life-size sculpture of her. Upon completion, this statue -- created in the classic style -- was sent from Rome to Eisenstadt, where it still remains. Princess Leopoldine's lifelong interest in the arts is revealed through her letters, which mention the friendship she and her husband shared with Goethe, the famous German poet and novelist. Because Prince Mortiz was Goethe's sponsor, Princess Leopoldine opened her home for reading of Goethe's works. With her friendly and open-minded attitude toward artists, she represented the educated woman of Goethe's time. Art was always her passion and the sculpture which Canova created is a reminder of how she actively sponsored the arts until her death in 1846.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Liechtenstein Europa stamp featured in the 1980 Portraits of Greatness collection.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06084

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