Julie Guicciardi verheiratet von Gallenberg (1782-1856) - Heliogravüre einer anonymen Zeichnung oder Lithographie des 19. Jahrhunderts

Ludwig van Beethoven was introduced to Julie Guicciardi around 1800 by acquaintances of the Brunsvik family, and he gave her piano lessons. For some time, the young countess apparently had romantic feelings for the composer, which must have caused Anton Schindler to assume that she was the recipient of Beethoven's letter to the "immortal beloved".

In 1803, Julie married the composer Wenzel Robert Graf von Gallenberg (1783-1839), and she settled down in Italy with him. Only in 1822 did she return to Vienna. She seemed to have tried to get into contact with Beethoven again, but that was not really successful.

Since the publishing of Gerhard von Breuning's memories during his youth in 1874, it was presumed in literature that Julie was to be seen on one of the two miniature portraits of the unknown ladies from Beethoven's abatement. Breuning mentioned that the son of the countess had recognized his mother on one of those depictions. This identification however, cannot be proved, although the subject is being picked up again and again until today.(S.B.)