“For a beautiful woman can work wonders.” – Franz Xaver Winterhalter Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyke. None of the other renowned court painters had the honour of painting as many sovereigns or members of the European Elite as Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Throughout his successful career which spanned 40 years, Winterhalter not only captured through paint, a flattering but extremely accurate likeness of his sitters, he also recorded with almost photographic detail every item of costume and every accessory of his royal, imperial and aristocratic clientele. When looking at a Winterhalter portrait, especially those of the ladies of the courts of Europe, we can’t help but be dazzled by his skill and meticulous depiction of fashionable fabrics and surface detail. Winterhalter succeeded brilliantly in reinventing the baroque splendour of royal portraiture in the tradition of Van Dyck but executed with a sense realism that was completely of his own time. His mastery with paint and skill with the brush exudes the utmost luxury in clothing, jewels and accessories. Winterhalter was a true artist who captured in paint the ephemeral nature of mid 19th century fashion. Please follow @fashionandwithscottschiavone on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fashionandwithscottschiavone) and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to Fashion &… with Scott Schiavone, Fashion Curator. #fashion #fashionand #fashionhistory #fashionhistorian #fashioncurator #franzxaverwinterhalter #winterhalter #19thcenturyfashion #1850sfashion #1860sfashion #fashionandart #crinoline #charlesfrederickworth #opulence #secondfrenchempire