Ulla von Höpken
Encyclopedia
Ulla von Höpken, later von Wright, née
von Fersen (24 March 1749 – 17 September 1810), was a Swedish lady-in-waiting
and noble
. She was a leading socialite
of the Gustavian age
, and known in history as one of the "Three Graces
" alongside her sister Augusta von Fersen
and Lovisa Meijerfeldt, which inspired the poem of Johan Henric Kellgren
"Gracernas döpelse". She is one of the best known profiles of the Gustavian age
.
Count Carl Reinhold von Fersen and Charlotta Sparre
and cousin
of count
Axel von Fersen the Younger, granddaughter of Hans von Fersen, and niece of Axel von Fersen the Elder. Her father, the brother of the Caps party
leader, was known as "one of the most elegant and spirited gentlemen of his time", and her mother made a success at the French royal court of Versailles
as a great beauty when she accompanied her relative Ulla Tessin
, spouse of the Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin
, to France in 1739–1742.
Ulla was early introduced to court where she made a success with her beauty and charm. Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
fell in love with her and wished to marry her. Reportedly, she regarded this only as a flattering amusement.
Prince Frederick Adolf proposed to her in the garden at Drottningholm Palace
, and: "She laughed and accepted without a moments doubt, amused and flattered. She laughed still when he suggested that they exchanged rings, and was not more serious when he begun to shower her with jewels and gifts". Her family, however, was convinced that a royal marriage would be a mistake and refused to permit it. They forced her to return the ring and presents and decided that the next proposal to her would be accepted.
To avoid a royal match, her family arranged a marriage with Baron
Nils von Höpken (1750–1780), cavalry
captain of the Scania
n cavalry, a man described as a great beauty who was almost ruined by gambling and spending. Prince Frederick later proposed to her cousin, Sophie Piper
. Ulla and Höpken were married in 1770. Initially, the marriage was very happy and passionate: it was said that they did not care about economic problems as long as they had a bed, and they were described as Amor
and Psyche. In 1773, they separated after her husband abused her out of jealousy, and after this, they lived separate lives: he spent his time drinking and gambling, and she in "pleasing others". She returned to court, where she was appointed lady-in-waiting to Queen Sophia Magdalena
.
Ulla became one of the three leading socialites known as the "Three Graces" alongside Augusta von Fersen
and Lovisa Meijerfeldt, expressed by Johan Henric Kellgren
in the poem «Gracernas döpelse». The mother of Augusta and Ulla had studied dance under Marie Sallé
during her stay in Paris and in turn taught her daughters, who became known for their grace and talent within dance in the amateur theatre in the court of Gustav III She was noted for her love life: in 1778, she was the subject of a scandal when letters purporting to be from her circulated, in which she apparently invited several men to join her on the same occasion, and in 1781, the caricture Lisimons was written by the courtiers portraying her relationship with her three lovers. Ulla had a good relationship to Gustav III, and it was noticed that they enjoyed to talk to each other as if they were flirting. Gustav III once said to her: "Well Ulla, you and me are surely friends for ever and will never leave each other", upon which she answered: "Thank you very much, I have had one unhappy marriage already and that is quite enough".
In 1789, she temporary withdrew from court in protest when the king arrested her uncle. In 1795, Ulla von Höpken left court: her mother, formally head of the court of the queen dowager, although in reality bedridden, was fired from her position and her daughters left the court in protest, officially to take care of their mother's health, and she formally lost her position in June 1795.
In 1797, she married her "faithful admirer", the much younger Colonel Georg John Jonas von Wright (d. 1800). She spent her last years with her sisters and became appreciated for her charity, kindness and, as it was said, for: "the refinement, primarily recognized in the people formed by the court of Gustav III".
An 18-gun frigate of the Swedish Royal Navy, Ulla Fersen was named after her. The frigate participated in the campaign of 1790 and the Battle of Reval
. In March 1801 the ship was detained by the British Royal Navy while on passage to the Swedish colony Saint Barthelemy
, but was released after negotiations. She was wrecked in 1807.
Venus i rokoko; en roman om Ulla von Fersen (English: Roccoco Venus; a novel of Ulla von Fersen) by Ole Söderström (1960). She has been suggested as a role model for Bellman
's character Ulla Winblad
in her "aristocratic version".
Ulla was used as the model of the naked Venus
sculpture by Johan Tobias Sergel
, Venus aux belles fesses (1779): King Gustav III
wished to have a statue of Venus opposite his statue of Apollo
in his salon, and "as a compliment to our ladies in waiting", Ulla von Höpken was chosen as the model. The statue was later placed in the National Museum of Fine Arts.
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
von Fersen (24 March 1749 – 17 September 1810), was a Swedish lady-in-waiting
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
and noble
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
. She was a leading socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
of the Gustavian age
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
, and known in history as one of the "Three Graces
Grâces
Grâces is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Grâces are called gracieux.-External links:*...
" alongside her sister Augusta von Fersen
Augusta von Fersen
Christina Augusta von Fersen, as married Löwenhielm , was a Swedish noble and lady-in-waiting. She is a well-known figure of the Gustavian Age, and is known in history as one of "The Three Graces" at court, and as royal mistress to king Charles XIII of Sweden.-Background:Augusta was the daughter of...
and Lovisa Meijerfeldt, which inspired the poem of Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henrik Kellgren was a Swedish poet and critic.-Biography:He was born at Floby in Västergötland...
"Gracernas döpelse". She is one of the best known profiles of the Gustavian age
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
.
Biography
Ulrika Eleonora von Fersen was the daughter of the noble royal Crown ForesterForester
250px|thumb|right|Foresters of [[Southern University of Chile|UACh]] in the [[Valdivian forest]]s of San Pablo de Tregua, ChileA forester is a person who practices forestry, the science, art, and profession of managing forests. Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber...
Count Carl Reinhold von Fersen and Charlotta Sparre
Charlotta Sparre
Charlotta Sparre , commonly named Lotta Sparre was a Swedish noble and court lady.Lotta Sparre was the daughter of Fredrik Henrik Sparre and Virginia Christina Lilliehöök af Fårdala...
and cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
of count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Axel von Fersen the Younger, granddaughter of Hans von Fersen, and niece of Axel von Fersen the Elder. Her father, the brother of the Caps party
Caps (party)
The Caps were a political faction during the Age of Liberty in Sweden. The primary rivals of the Caps were known as the Hats. The Hats are actually responsible for the Caps' name, as it comes from a contraction of Night-cap, a name used to suggest that the Caps were the soft and timid party...
leader, was known as "one of the most elegant and spirited gentlemen of his time", and her mother made a success at the French royal court of Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
as a great beauty when she accompanied her relative Ulla Tessin
Ulla Tessin
Ulrika Lovisa Tessin, known as Ulla Tessin, née Sparre , was a Swedish lady in waiting, letter writer, dilettant artist and noble...
, spouse of the Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin
Carl Gustaf Tessin
Count Carl Gustaf Tessin was a Swedish politician and son of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and Hedvig Eleonora Stenbock.-Life:Carl Gustaf Tessin was born in Stockholm...
, to France in 1739–1742.
Ulla was early introduced to court where she made a success with her beauty and charm. Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
Prince Fredrick Adolf of Sweden , was a Swedish Prince, youngest son of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, a sister Frederick the Great, King of Prussia...
fell in love with her and wished to marry her. Reportedly, she regarded this only as a flattering amusement.
Prince Frederick Adolf proposed to her in the garden at Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace
The Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. It is located in Drottningholm. It is built on the island Lovön , and is one of Sweden's Royal Palaces. It was originally built in the late 16th century. It served as a residence of the Swedish royal court for most of...
, and: "She laughed and accepted without a moments doubt, amused and flattered. She laughed still when he suggested that they exchanged rings, and was not more serious when he begun to shower her with jewels and gifts". Her family, however, was convinced that a royal marriage would be a mistake and refused to permit it. They forced her to return the ring and presents and decided that the next proposal to her would be accepted.
To avoid a royal match, her family arranged a marriage with Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Nils von Höpken (1750–1780), cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
captain of the Scania
Scania
Scania is the southernmost of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden, constituting a peninsula on the southern tip of the Scandinavian peninsula, and some adjacent islands. The modern administrative subdivision Skåne County is almost, but not totally, congruent with the...
n cavalry, a man described as a great beauty who was almost ruined by gambling and spending. Prince Frederick later proposed to her cousin, Sophie Piper
Sophie Piper
Eva Sophie Piper , née Sophie von Fersen, was a Swedish noble and lady in waiting. She was the daughter of Axel von Fersen the Elder and Hedvig Catharina De la Gardie and the sister of Axel von Fersen the Younger and Hedvig Eleonora von Fersen...
. Ulla and Höpken were married in 1770. Initially, the marriage was very happy and passionate: it was said that they did not care about economic problems as long as they had a bed, and they were described as Amor
Amor
Amor may refer to:*Cupid, the Roman god of love also known by his Latin name Amor*Eros, the Greek god of love also known as Amor*The land of the ancient Amorites, also known as Amurru*1221 Amor, an asteroid...
and Psyche. In 1773, they separated after her husband abused her out of jealousy, and after this, they lived separate lives: he spent his time drinking and gambling, and she in "pleasing others". She returned to court, where she was appointed lady-in-waiting to Queen Sophia Magdalena
Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
Sofia Magdalena of Denmark and Norway was a Queen consort of Sweden as the spouse of Gustav III of Sweden....
.
Ulla became one of the three leading socialites known as the "Three Graces" alongside Augusta von Fersen
Augusta von Fersen
Christina Augusta von Fersen, as married Löwenhielm , was a Swedish noble and lady-in-waiting. She is a well-known figure of the Gustavian Age, and is known in history as one of "The Three Graces" at court, and as royal mistress to king Charles XIII of Sweden.-Background:Augusta was the daughter of...
and Lovisa Meijerfeldt, expressed by Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henric Kellgren
Johan Henrik Kellgren was a Swedish poet and critic.-Biography:He was born at Floby in Västergötland...
in the poem «Gracernas döpelse». The mother of Augusta and Ulla had studied dance under Marie Sallé
Marie Sallé
Marie Sallé was a French dancer and choreographer known for her expressive, dramatic performances rather than a series of "leaps and frolics" typical of ballet of her time...
during her stay in Paris and in turn taught her daughters, who became known for their grace and talent within dance in the amateur theatre in the court of Gustav III She was noted for her love life: in 1778, she was the subject of a scandal when letters purporting to be from her circulated, in which she apparently invited several men to join her on the same occasion, and in 1781, the caricture Lisimons was written by the courtiers portraying her relationship with her three lovers. Ulla had a good relationship to Gustav III, and it was noticed that they enjoyed to talk to each other as if they were flirting. Gustav III once said to her: "Well Ulla, you and me are surely friends for ever and will never leave each other", upon which she answered: "Thank you very much, I have had one unhappy marriage already and that is quite enough".
In 1789, she temporary withdrew from court in protest when the king arrested her uncle. In 1795, Ulla von Höpken left court: her mother, formally head of the court of the queen dowager, although in reality bedridden, was fired from her position and her daughters left the court in protest, officially to take care of their mother's health, and she formally lost her position in June 1795.
In 1797, she married her "faithful admirer", the much younger Colonel Georg John Jonas von Wright (d. 1800). She spent her last years with her sisters and became appreciated for her charity, kindness and, as it was said, for: "the refinement, primarily recognized in the people formed by the court of Gustav III".
An 18-gun frigate of the Swedish Royal Navy, Ulla Fersen was named after her. The frigate participated in the campaign of 1790 and the Battle of Reval
Battle of Reval
The naval Battle of Reval or took place on 13 May 1790 during the Russo-Swedish War , off the port of Reval .-Origins:...
. In March 1801 the ship was detained by the British Royal Navy while on passage to the Swedish colony Saint Barthelemy
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy , officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy , is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao...
, but was released after negotiations. She was wrecked in 1807.
In culture
Ulla is the subject of the novelNovel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
Venus i rokoko; en roman om Ulla von Fersen (English: Roccoco Venus; a novel of Ulla von Fersen) by Ole Söderström (1960). She has been suggested as a role model for Bellman
Bellman
Bellman is an alternative term for a bellhop. It may also refer to:People named Bellman* Carl Michael Bellman, Swedish poet and composer* Eric Bellman, psychotherapist* Gina Bellman, New Zealand/English actress...
's character Ulla Winblad
Ulla Winblad
Ulla Winblad was a semi-fictional character in many of Carl Michael Bellman's works. Ulla Winblad was, or at least inspired by, Maria Kristina Kiellström .Ulla Winblad was described as a goddess of sex, worshiped and adored, but not respected...
in her "aristocratic version".
Ulla was used as the model of the naked Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
sculpture by Johan Tobias Sergel
Johan Tobias Sergel
Johan Tobias Sergel , Swedish sculptor, was born in Stockholm.-Biography:After studying for some time in Paris he went to Rome, where he remained for twelve years and sculpted a number of groups in marble, including, besides subjects from classical mythology, a colossal representation of "History,"...
, Venus aux belles fesses (1779): King Gustav III
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
wished to have a statue of Venus opposite his statue of Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
in his salon, and "as a compliment to our ladies in waiting", Ulla von Höpken was chosen as the model. The statue was later placed in the National Museum of Fine Arts.