Elisabeth, Zarin von Rußland (1779-1826) - Stich von André Joseph Mécou nach einem Gemälde von Henri Benner, Sankt Petersburg, 1810-1815

In 1793, the Baden Princess Luise Marie Auguste married the Russian Grand Prince Alexander Pavlowitsch Romanov, who became tsar of Russia in 1801. After having converted to the Russian Orthodox Church Luise changed her name to Elisabeth Alexiewna.

During her stay in Vienna in 1814, she was introduced to Ludwig van Beethoven. The tsarina sent the composer a present worth of 200 ducats. She gave him another present when Beethoven dedicated his Polonaise in C Major, op. 89 to her. Two years later, he dedicated the recording of the Seventh Symphony, op. 92 for piano to the princess. Elisabeth Alexiewna presumably thanked Beethoven with a valuable ring. (S.B.)