Princess Elisabeth of Hesse 1881

Alexander Bassano was a renowned English photographer who was born in 1829 and died in 1913. He was best known for his portraits of notable people, including members of the British royal family, politicians and celebrities. Bassano was born in London and began his career as a photographer in the mid-19th century. He set up his own studio in 1850 and quickly gained a reputation for his high quality portraits. His studio became a popular destination for the upper classes and he was soon photographing members of the royal family, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In addition to his portraits of the royal family, Bassano also photographed many other notable people of his time. He photographed politicians such as William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, and celebrities such as Charles Dickens and Florence Nightingale. Bassano's work was highly regarded for its technical excellence and attention to detail. He was renowned for his use of natural light, which gave his portraits a soft and natural look. His portraits were also notable for their composition, with Bassano often using interesting poses and settings to create dynamic images. Today, Bassano's portraits are considered some of the most iconic images of the Victorian era. His work remains highly regarded by photographers and art historians alike, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of photographers.

Princess Elizabeth of Hesse (also known as Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia) was born on November 1, 1864, in Darmstadt, Germany. She was the second daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and by Rhine and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom. In 1884, Elizabeth married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia, the fifth son of Tsar Alexander II. They had no children, but Elizabeth was known for her philanthropic work and her devotion to the Russian Orthodox Church. After her husband's assassination in 1905, Elizabeth withdrew from public life and devoted herself to charitable works. She founded the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent in Moscow, which provided medical care and shelter for the poor and homeless. During World War I, she worked as a nurse and tended to wounded soldiers. In 1918, following the Russian Revolution, Elizabeth was arrested by the Bolsheviks and imprisoned in Alapayevsk with several other members of the royal family. On July 18, 1918, she and several others were taken into the forest and brutally murdered. She was later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church as a martyr and saint.