Extremely important for Russian history portrait of Maria Feodorovna Princess Bariatinsky, born Comtess von Keller (1793 Bavaria -1958 St.Petersburg). This watercolour was executed in 1833 by German painter Julius Ludwig Sebbers (1804 - 1843) . The Princess was depicted by the artist in the age of 40 years old after her moving to St. Petersburg in 1831. There are three famous portraits of the Princess by different painters: watercolour portrait by Christina Robertson (British, 1796 - 1854 St.Petersburg), oil portrait of Princess with daugther Olga by Robert Lefevre (French,1755 - 1830) and oil portrait of the Princess with the son Vladimir by unknown painter (probably by Vigee-Lebrun, State Historical Museum, Moscow). Also known the marble figure of Princess by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770 - 1844, Pushkin Museum, Moscow).

For comparison we attached all as additional photos.

Maria Feodorovna Princess Bariatinsky (1793 Bavaria - 1858 St.Petersburg) was the daughter of the Prussian Ambassador in Russia Dorofei Ludwig Christopher Keller (1757-1827) and Louisa Amalia Sayn-Wittgenstein (1771-1853), daughter of the Russian field marshal, Earl and light Prince P. H. Wittgenstein. In 1813 she married Prince Ivan Ivanovich Barjatinski (1770-1825) , who was a diplomat who was then Envoy in Munich. Married kept Lutheranism. Gave birth to and raised three daughters (Olga, Leonilla and Maria) and four sons (Alexander, Vladimir, Anatoly and Dmitriy). All the children received an excellent education, and sons made a brilliant career in the military, diplomatic and public service. Prior to 1831 was living in the family estate of Baryatinsky in Kursk lips. (Rila), educating young children, and then moved to St. Petersburg. In the favourite Ivanovo her husband Bariatinsky arranged magnificent Palace, named after the wife of Mar′ino, where you can find everything that is able to give wealth, United with refined taste. Baryatinsky´s lived openly, they had a theatre and Orchestra. In the concerts was attended by famous musicians, the brothers neighbors Earls Viel′gorskie. Ivan Bariatinsky died in 1825. The portrait of Ivan Bariatinsky was painted by Vigee-Lebrun and represanted by us on additional photo. In 1836 the Princess settled in a mansion at St. Sergius of Radonezh. (now the Tchaikovsky Street), 46-48 and soon became known as a generous philanthropist. In 1843, after the early death of daughter Mary (married. the AMG. Kochubei) arranged in memory of her Mariinsky shelter for poor women, mainly elderly Sisters of mercy, quests for low wages (1880-e-from 150 to 200 rubles per year) on 24 seats. The shelter is located in the wooden building next door with its own independently-at 52, St. Sergius of Radonezh. Later there was women´s and children´s Hospital, nursery day care for small children (Marien Asyl) and handicraft school for girls. In 1852 architect k. Brandt, built on the site of a wooden four-storeyed stone house (façade completed m. e. Deadlocks). The following year she founded the first Sisters of mercy community in Russia, originally "society of nurses" Foundry town " the base took under her patronage of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The Charter was approved by Emperor Nicholas I May 15, 1853. July 25, 1853, St. Mary Magdalene, the building was consecrated by orthodox temple in honor of celestial patroness the Princess-founder. The device of the temple was made at the expense of her daughter. Olga Orlova-Davydova. Later, in 1859, the community venues, was purchased for the House opposite (Sergievskaya Street, 73), replaced in 1883-1884 four-storey building, built by architect a. i. Krakau. In 1890 founded the Duchess community called the Congregation of the Sisters of mercy in the name of Christ the Savior.At the end of the life of the Princess much hurt and could not personally direct the agencies-but continued to support them on their own. She was buried in Marino. In the future, support the community and based its charities has become a family affair of princes Baryatinsky, and their descendants, belonged to the noble St. Petersburg last name. The sudden death of Princess, which occurred in the family mansion at St. Sergius, 46-48, children gave the Orthodox Church in the name of St. Mary Magdalene Church (consecrated in 1861).

The author of our masterfully watercolour was German famous portrait and porcelain painter Julius Ludwig Sebbers (1804 Braunschweig - 1843 Berlin). From 1820 he was an apprentice at the Braunschweig porcelain factory, and from 1824 to 1826 at the Munich porcelain factory. In 1826, he returned to Braunschweig, then moved to Weimar, where he portrayed the famous Goethe (now in Weimar Museum). From 1827 he was a royal painter and director of the porcelain factory in Braunschweig. In 1837 he moved to Berlin, where he died after 1837.

Literature: Sisters of mercy. Spb., 2005. P. 69-76; Zherikhina e. i., part of the Neva River to Kiročnoj. 1710-1918. Spb., 2006. C. 393 (Decree); in on-line: http://encblago.lfond.spb.ru/showObject.do?object=2823339191; Thieme/Becker General Artist Lexicon, Leipzig,1999; Saur Artist Lexicon.

Inscription: signed middle right, a few inscriptions about sitter and painter on the back: the old brown paper backing on the frame was probably about 40 years old and has a label with info about Sebbers and a label stating that the interior watercolor was signed Princess Bariatinsky on accompanied old backing board. The brown paper backing has been taken off and the reverse of the watercolor is unmarked, but the old board backing which appears to have always been with the watercolor has "Princess Bariatinsky" written in German in graphite. It also has remnants of an old paper seal with sepia ink inscription in Russian, which can be read as "Kniaginia (princess) Bariatinsky".

Technique: watercolour on paper. Original period gold-plated frame .

Measurements: image w 7 1/2" x h 9 1/2 " (19 x 24 cm), framed w 12 1/4" x h 14 1/4" (31 x 36 cm).

Condition: original good condition.

Biography of Princess Bariatinsky in Russian:

Барятинская (Келлер) Мария Фёдоровна (1792- 1858) Мария Федоровна Барятинская, урожденная графиня Келлер, жена князя Ивана Ивановича Барятинского, одного из знатнейших и богатейших русских вельмож, действительно славилась ослепительной, неотразимой красотой, острым умом, образованностью, великодушием и добротой. Боготворивший ее Иван Иванович Барятинский именно в ее честь назвал свое имение "Марьино". Мать сестёр Барятинских - портреты которых я выложила ранее в рубрике "женский портрет". Дочь прусского посла в России графа Дорофея Людвига Христофора Келлера и Амалии-Луизы Сайн-Витгенштейн – дочери русского фельдмаршала, графа и светл. кн. П. Х. Витгенштейна. В 1813 году вышла замуж за камергера, князя Ивана Ивановича Барятинского (1770–1825) – дипломата, служившего на тот момент посланником в Мюнхене. В браке сохранила лютеранство. Родила и воспитала троих дочерей и четверых сыновей. Все дети получили прекрасное образование, а сыновья сделали блестящую карьеру на военной, дипломатической и государственной службе. До 1831 года проживала в родовом имении Барятинских Марьино в Курской губ. воспитывая малолетних детей, а затем переехала в С.-Петербург. В 1836 году поселилась в приобретенном особняке на Сергиевской ул. и вскоре получила известность как щедрая благотворительница. В 1843 году, после ранней смерти дочери Марии (в замужестве княгини Кочубей) устроила в память о ней Мариинский приют для бедных женщин – преимущественно престарелых сестер милосердия. Позже там открыли женскую и детскую больницы, ясли для дневного пребывания малолетних детей и школу рукоделия для девочек. В 1852 году архитектор К. И. Брандт построил на месте деревянного четырехэтажный каменный дом .В следующем году княгиня основала первую в России общину сестер милосердия, первоначально – «Общество сестер милосердия Литейной части города», которую при основании приняла под свое покровительство императрица Александра Федоровна. Устав общины был утвержден императором Николаем I. 25 июля 1853, в день св. Марии Магдалины, в здании общины был освящен православный храм в честь небесной покровительницы княгини-основательницы. Устройство храма было выполнено на средства ее дочери гр. Ольги Орловой-Давыдовой. В 1890 основанная княгиней община получила название Община сестер милосердия во имя Христа Спасителя. В конце жизни княгиня много болела и не могла лично руководить основанными ею учреждениями, но продолжала их содержать на свои средства. Она была похоронена в Марьино. В дальнейшем, поддержка общины и основанных ею благотворительных учреждений стала семейным делом князей Барятинских и их потомков, принадлежавших к знатным петербургским фамилиям. На месте внезапной смерти княгини, случившейся в семейном особняке на Сергиевской, её дети устроили православную церковь во имя св. Марии Магдалины.