Catherine Angèle Cristich was born in Constantinople, but later settled in France, where she was married for the second time to Otto Louis Henri Ullmann (1838–1911).

Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann went on many trips across Europe throughout her life, and she was one of the few Danish artists in the 19th century who travelled to the Orient. During the winter of 1869–1870 she went alone to both Constantinople, Athens, Smyrna, Alexandria and Cairo, and she returned to this part of the world again in 1874–75. Through her great network, she gained access to a harem in Constantinople as one of the first female painters ever. In 1881, she published the book “Brogede Rejsebilleder” (Motley Images of Travel), here she wrote about her experiences during the travels, life in the harem, and the people and customs she met.

Literature: Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann, “Brogede Rejsebilleder”, 1881, mentioned p. 19, where she describes how she, in a leather sack hidden on her chest, carries eighty gold pieces, which she has received as payment for the portrait of “Madame Ullmann”, while she, among other things, visits a Turkish cafe.

Provenance: Private French collection.