Elzbieta ATC

August 2011
ATC size, 2.5"x3.5"

Elzbieta Sobieslawa von Fürstenberg, Generalleutnant Karl von Fürstenberg's somewhat neurotic wife. Elzbieta was born to a prominent noble family of Polish origin. After her first husband died, she ended up penniless in Prussia with their two sons. She agreed to marry Karl mainly to secure her children's future. Elzbieta learns to respect her gentle and intelligent husband who is genuinely in love with her, but it would be too much to say she returned his feelings. Together they have two more sons and play happy family. Marie von Clausewi- ahem, Elzbieta even proofreads Karl's writings.

So, ~rikkaruohimus tricked me into the ATC business, and this is my first real attempt at making a trading card. My paintings are typically larger than A4 so it was refreshing to make a miniature; furthermore, it only took about a day to finish. I had wanted to paint this scene for a long time; then I found some rub-on lace and thought now or never. Some of you may even know where my inspiration came from.

I would like to make a few more cards before trading this one away to give people something to choose from. Maybe the rest of the Fürstenberg family, which would make a nice series.