Pastel of Elisabeth of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach by J.Paterson (1905), James Paterson, May 1905

Portrait of the duchess of mecklenburgh 1905 although best-known as a landscape painter, portraiture constitutes a significant part of james paterson's output. Elizabeth, duchess of mecklenburgh (1854-1908) was the wife of duke johann albretch (1857-1920) of mecklenburg, in north eastern germany. He was a patron of james paterson, buying 4 watercolour of spain in 1903 and purchasing one more for prince henry of russia the same year. The drawing is inscribed "wiligrad may 1905". Wiligrad castle, on the west shore of lake schweriner see, was built by the duke in 1896. Paterson was invited to the castle by the duchess, and produced a number of portrait drawings during his stay, including one of the duke. Date: May 1905.