Barbara Dmitrievna Mergassov Rimsky was made by Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1864, which measured 117 x 90 cm. Now it is collected in France Orsay Museum of Paris. Franz Xaver Winterhalter had the unique charm in the art of portrait paintings and drew this elegant portrait in a relaxed and smooth brushwork. The figure in this painting was the wife of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (from March 18, 1844 to June 21, 1908) who was a Russian musician in the late of 19th century–Nadezhda Nikolaevna Rimskaya-Korsakova (from October 9, 1848 to May 24, 1919). She was dressed in the gorgeous blue and white striped dress with her loose and beautiful long hair on her chest. She elegantly sat in the chair, which revealed her noble and romantic characters. She was considered one of the ten beauties in the world’s famous paintings.
Under the depiction of generations of western painters, noble ladies and beautiful girls were the constant themes for them. This painting combined the lady’s pure, noble, and elegant temperament together. Franz Xaver Winterhalter vividly portrayed Nadezhda Nikolaevna Rimskaya-Korsakova. Her eyes squinted ahead and her yellow brown hair scattered half in front of her and half fell on her back shoulder. Her eyes were full of slight melancholy and dignified expression, as if seeming to be thinking about something. Her right hand fell upon her chest and the blue and white stripes dress did not cover her plump body, but exposed her sexy shoulders. Depicted by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, she could be called the most charming and elegant lady.
