Paul Emil Jacobs
The Pasha's favourite (Ali Pasha and Kira Vassiliki), c. 1842
Oil on canvas
158 by 182cm., 62¼ by 71¾in.
Private collection
Sold for 16,250 EUR in October 2014
The painting depicts Ali Pasha of Ioannina and Kira Vassiliki; portraying an intimate moment full of tenderness and love. Kira, the daughter of Kitzos Kontaxis, joined the Ali Pasha's harem at a young age. With her beauty and loyalty she won the love and favour of the powerful tyrant. She kept her faith and her influence on the Pasha saved the lives of many of her compatriots.
This is one of Paul Emil Jacobs's most famous compositions. The first version was executed in 1840 in Rome, following a commission from the King of Württemberg. Several versions followed, as well as engravings.
Vassiliki Kontaxi was born in the Greek village of Plisivitsa in Thesprotia. At the age of twelve she sought an audience with the local Ottoman ruler, Ali Pasha, to intercede for her father's life. Having granted her father pardon, Ali Pasha married Vassiliki in 1808 and she joined his harem. Being allowed to practice her Christian faith, she interceded on behalf of the Orthodox people. She was perhaps contacted by the Greek patriotic organization Filiki Eteria. During this period she undertook a number of charity initiatives. In 1819–20 she financed a number of restoration works in Mount Athos.
In January 1822, during the last stage of the siege of Ioannina by the Ottoman Sultan's forces, Vassiliki together with Ali Pasha and his private guard escaped to Ioannina Island. Ali Pasha was executed there on January 22 by an Ottoman delegation, having been declared an outlaw by the Sultan. Following Ali's death, Vassiliki was sent as a prisoner to the Ottoman capital, Constantinople. She was later pardoned and returned to Greece, which meanwhile gained its independence after the successful Greek War of Independence (1821–30). In 1830, the Greek state gave Vassiliki a medieval tower in Katochi, where she lived the rest of her life. She died of dysentery in 1834. More on Vassiliki Kontaxi
Ali Pasha (1789-1834) whose origin was from Tepeleni, Albania, became a governor of Ioannina after numerous uprisings and wars. Many famous Greeks served under him and his court gathered well educated people. Through his relation with England and Napoleon Bonaparte he became a well known figure in the western world. More on this painting
Paul Emil Jacobs (August 20, 1802 in Gotha – January 6, 1866) was a German painter. Jacobs received his art training at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and first became known for his painting of Mercury and Argus (from Classical mythology). In 1824 he went to Rome, where he attracted critical attention by painting "The Raising of Lazarus". In 1836 he made a series of historical paintings at the Welfenschloss in Hannover.
Jacobs was noted for his mastery of nudes, expressed particularly in the representation of such Orientalist themes as "A slave market" or of sleeping and waking naked boys. His image of Scheherezade from Arabian Nights is noted for its light effects. The famous Ali Pasha was depicted by Jacobs in a moment of relaxed intimacy with his favorite mistress (or wife) Kira Vassiliki (above).
Like many Europeans of his generation, Jacobs shared in the Philhellene sympathy for the Greek War of Independence, which took place when he was in the early stage of his artistic career. This was manifested in his painting very sympathetic pictures of "Greek Freedom Fighters".
Jacobs was also a portrait painter. Lithographed portraits by him include those of Goethe, Karl Gottlieb Bretschneider and Döring.
In 1844, Jacobs created the monumental altarpiece "Calvary", for St. Augustine's Church in Gotha. It was removed from St. Augustine's in 1939, and since 1998 the altarpiece has been located in the church of Hohenleuben. More on Paul Emil Jacobs
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