Artists Among Us - Countess Catherine Buxhoeveden

The Buxhoevedens are recognized as one of the oldest, noblest families of Europe according to Countess Catherine Buxhoeveden. The family founded the town of Riga and dates back to 800 A.D. Tracing her family lineage back to Catherine the Great, her father, Count Alexander Buxhoeveden (1882-1948) was born in St. Petersburg. He was a journalist, architect, member of the Imperial Duma and Knight of the Russian Order of St. George. Count Alexander was also part of the plot to assassinate Rasputin who was blamed for the downfall of the Russian Empire. At the outbreak of World War II, her family fled Nice to the safety of the Tyrol Mountains in Southern Italy. Soon afterward, Buxhoeveden was born at Castle Rovina in Merano, Italy - supposedly haunted by restless spirits from a century past. “At night you could hear them walking about in the castle. One spirit actually grabbed my brother by the ankles and tried to pull him out of bed!” which probably greatly influenced Buxhoeveden’s favorite subject matter - haunted houses and “moody scenes.” Read Article

By Eileen Casey