Alix of Hesse by George Koberwein (1874, Royal coll), Georg Koberwein, 1874

Princess alix of hesse, later alexandra feodorovna, tsarina nicholas ii of russia (1872-1918) when a child the son of two well-known viennese actors, koberwein studied painting in paris with paul delaroche (1797-1856); he worked in various european capitals before setting in london in 1859. He experimented with processes for colouring photographs and his painted portraiture was greatly influenced by photography. Queen victoria described koberwein as ‘such a useful good artist & pleasant person’. Date: 1874.