Franz-Xaver WINTERHALTER (1805-1873). L.A.S., Paris November - Lot 25

Franz-Xaver WINTERHALTER (1805-1873). L.A.S., Paris November 17, 1858, to M. d'Adelung; 2 1/2 pages in-8. He has been asked to go to Nice to paint the portrait of the Grand Duchess Constantin of Russia, but as he has promised "for this period to several people who will make long journeys to come to Paris solely for the purpose of having their portraits, and as I also have portraits to finish for people who must return to their country, I think it would be cruel and unjust to fail them". Eager to paint the portrait of such a beautiful Princess, the painter asked his correspondent to explain his embarrassment to the Princess "and to beg her to arrange things with her august brother so that I can paint the portrait in Stuttgart instead of Nice, which would shorten not only the journeys but above all the sessions, and there would be more certainty of success"...