Empress Elisabeth
1855
Painted in 1855, this captivating portrait captures Empress Elisabeth of Austria—affectionately known as 'Sisi'—at just 18 years old, shortly after her fairytale marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph. She gazes out with a serene, almost shy expression, adorned in a lavish white lace gown, double strands of pearls, and a crown of ivy leaves that hint at her romantic, nature-loving spirit. Though she would later become famous for her tragic life and obsessive beauty routines, here she is frozen in the peak of her youthful, legendary beauty that captivated all of Europe.
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