New-York tribune., 1908-05-22
PRINCESS LW0FF HERE
rs Nine. Palaghi She Vas the Cause
of a Notable COntrOUersy.
coopyrisht. 1906. by the Brentwood Company }

H. -
Few will recognize under the name of Princess
ryvor who is engaged in a lecturing tour in
the United States In behalf Of the anti-vivisection
cause Nine Palaghi. the portrait painter the
question Of whose artistic merits formed some
ten or years ago the subject Of such bitter
controversy between the Kaiser and the hanging
committee Of the Royal Berlin Academy Born
AZ Nadii-Dorog. in Hungary. and a pupil of both
Makar1 and Lenbach. she first recommended
10 the Kaiser by the present Czarina, whom
she gave drawing lessons at Darmstadt prior TO
the Empress's marriage Before. however, Will
tsrn had found time 10 accord her any sitting she
had painted very pleasing portrait Of old Field
Marshal Moltke. Her methods did not commend
themselves TO the leading Berlin artists and when
she sent the Moltke portrait the academy for
the annual exhibition IL turned down
The Kaiser, who had already fallen foul of the
hanging committee Of the academy several
occasions. had his attention drawn the matter,
her picture of Moltke. delighted
with it. and not only purchased il for large sum
but gave her order for several portraits Of
himself. At the time he gave expression
10 the opinion that if the judgment Of the hang
ing committee Of the Berlin Academy was TO be
final IN the matter of admitting paintings in pub
lie galleries and exhibitions, there would never
be single work Of art worthy Of the name on
view.
A year later she became the subject Of still
greater controversy, when the Emperor declined
sanction the annual award Of the gold medal
Of art and architecture Herr Wallot the de-
signer Of the Palace Of the Imperial Parliament
81 Berlin, and decreed that ii should be given IN
stead 20 Nine. Palagh for her portraits.
This gave rise TO an extraordinary demonstra-
zion the part Of the National Society Of Archi-
and the National Association of Artists. who
gave a banquet by way or consolation Professor
wallot. at which only Nine. Palaghi but even the
Emperor were Eryed in The mercess man
ner. II speaks volumes for the Emperor's COM
mon sense and good nature that he took no no
tice Of the affair. and forbade the authorities
from proceeding against any of the ringleaders
OF the fun at his expense for leze majesty
Nine. Palaghi, who subsequently married the
Russian Prince LuoA. has painted King Edward
At Merienbad Prince Biilow and many other nota-
bilities. In fact, I do not know Of any portrait
artist who boast Of such long and illustrious
list OF sitters OF late she seems TO have aban-
doned art order devote herself to the anti
1ivisection movement. Of which she is one Of the
leaders both al Berlin and at Paris, and is now
touring the country in the formerly used by
President Mckinley IN behalf OF the cause WIch
she has az heart.
The Russian family into which she has married.
namely, the prinoely house Of Lwoff, is chiefly
known fame in connection with the circumstance
that one Of its members is the composer Of the
Muscov-te national anthem. A little over hfty
years ago Emperor Nicholas ], finding bimself at
war with England in the Crimea. became disgusted
with the idea Russia should he using the same
melody for its national anthem her foe, namely,
Great Britain Accordingly he determined to sub
stifute for Il a genuine Russian anthem, of native
composition. and instituted open competition.
Ike the legendary tournaments Of the hards Of
Thurngia, OF the Meistersingers Of Nuremberg
and of the violin makers Of Cremona. The musical
committee appointed do the first rough work Of
selection rejected all the anthems sent IN except
TWO the respective merits Of which were left for
the Emperor himself decide one was by
I,linla the renowned composer Of the Life for
the Gar and the other by Prince Lwof.
Glinkas hymn was thoroughly Russian in char
acter. and in the form of q march. Prince Lwof 3
was more solemn but much less original He
knew however. that a highly military style OF in
strurnentation would appeal to the imperial ear.
and his drums and trumpets decided Nicholas
against all claims recognition on the part Of the
more artistic Glnka. Nicholas cannot however.
be said 10 have made a bad choice. Both works
were good. and il he preferred the more Demon
Curative Of the two IL was probably because AZ
knew so well the tastes OF his people.