| After studying for four years with the legendary Parisian painter Jacques-Louis David, Christian Gottlieb Schick returned to Stuttgart in 1802. That very year, he began painting the portrait of Heinrike Dannecker, the wife of his close friend and mentor, Johann Heinrich Dannecker. The Danneckers' home, known as the "Danneckerei," was more than just a house—it was a hub for art lovers, filled with ancient sculpture replicas. Schick’s portrait of Heinrike wasn’t just any portrait, though. Her relaxed pose, with a clear and confident gaze, reflected a new sense of freedom for women, one that had grown in the wake of the French Revolution. It’s no accident that Heinrike’s outfit subtly nods to the colors of the French flag—red, white, and blue. And the bouquet she holds, with bellflowers, roses, buttercups, and clover, stands out vividly against her deep blue dress, hinting at her natural, effortless beauty. Schick later wrote to Dannecker, “I remember struggling with the hand holding the flowers. I made all sorts of funny faces to help, and your wife and I laughed every time it came together. I was so happy painting her portrait.” Heinrike sits on a stone bench that brings to mind ancient ruins, her figure extending elegantly beyond the horizon, framed by soft curves that end with the graceful bend of her foot. Behind her, the landscape stretches into gentle mountain ranges, passing over dark green shrubs and a tranquil river valley. Schick masterfully captured her individuality while infusing a timeless, classical beauty. In this painting, Schick’s dream of blending classical ideals with real life reached a stunning peak. Interestingly, an unfinished version of this portrait—abandoned and trimmed by Schick himself—can still be found in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. |