Month: April 2024

Unique historical poster documents 1896 Coronation of Nicholas II

Posted on by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II, 1896

An interesting historical document – a poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II – is currently on display in the Holy Places for Russian Culture exhibition at the Izborsk State Historical Architectural Museum in the Pskov region.

The poster was printed by the thousands and posted in cities, towns and villages in all provinces throughout the Russian Empire. The poster on display in the exhibition was discovered in the 1960s, and donated to the museum’s collection.

Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were solemnly crowned on 27th (O.S. 14th) May 1896, in the Assumption Cathedral [aka the Cathedral of the Dormition or Uspensky Sobor] of the Moscow Kremlin.

The coronation was preceded by a number of events. On 14th (O.S. 1st) January 1896, a manifesto “On the Forthcoming Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties” was issued, according to which the ceremony was to take place in Moscow in May of the same year.

PHOTO: detial of the poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II, 1896

The dates 7th May to 27th May 1896, were declared the coronation period. Orders for preparations for the celebrations were entrusted to the Minister of the Imperial Court, Count Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov (1837-1916). A special coronation detachment consisting of 82 battalions, 36 squadrons, and 28 batteries was formed under the command of Nicholas II’s uncle Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909).

A special telegraph station with 150 lines was set up in the Kremlin, linking all the foreign embassies.

The coronation itself, as noted by contemporaries who attended the event, surpassed all previous coronations in terms of magnificence. On the day of the coronation in St. Petersburg, Divine Liturgies and thanksgiving molebens were served in every church.

PHOTO: silver commemorative medal
“In Memory of the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II”

A commemorative medal “In Memory of the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II” was minted. It was awarded to all civil servants, military personnel and individuals who took active part in the preparation of the ceremonies of the coronation. At a later date, the award was also bestowed upon women who had actively assisted in the preparation of the ceremony.

FURTHER READING

COLOUR photos of the Coronation of Nicholas II + PHOTOS

Filming the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II in 1896 + PHOTOS and VIDEO

1896 Coronation uniform of Emperor Nicholas II + PHOTOS

Russia’s only church built in honour of Nicholas II’s Coronation + PHOTOS

The myth of Nicholas II’s indifference to the Khodynka tragedy + PHOTOS

© Paul Gilbert. 5 April 2024

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna exhibit opens in Belarus

Posted on by Paul Gilbert

On 21st March 2024, the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. Life on a Canvas exhibition, opened in Mir Castle, situated in the village of Ramon[1], near Voronezh, Belarus.

According to the Oldenburg Palace Museum, the venue for the exhibition was chosen due to the close family ties between members of the Imperial Family and the Svyatopolk-Mirsky family, the last owners of Mir Castle. For example, the great-niece of Prince Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky, was Princess Sofia Ivanovna Orbeliani (1874-1915), who served as a lady-in-waiting and close friend of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

The exhibit presents the Russian years of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna through letters to her brother Emperor Nicholas II, and her nieces: Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia Nikolaevna.

The exhibition is supplemented with items from the funds of the the personal archive of Her Imperial Highness, stored in the Oldenburg Palace: photographs from Olga’s albums, drawings and paintings created in subsequent years, entries from her private diaries, and watercolours.

These exhibits which reflect the heritage of the Grand Duchess before the 1917 Revolution, afford visitors with an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the events of her long and often difficult life.

The life of Olga Alexandrovna, the last Russian Grand Duchess, was filled with trials that rarely fall to the lot of man. But with her kindness, modesty, and courage, she managed to overcome the horrors prepared for her by the 20th century. She was a benefactor of numerous schools, hospitals, almshouses, societies, and during the First World War she became a simple Red Cross nurse.

Interested in painting from her early childhood, Olga Alexandrovna never stopped painting throughout her life. Her works are real and lively, reflecting the happy moments of happy times with family, and the beauty of landscapes, nature, and the elegance of floral compositions.

Never discouraged, Olga was able to see beauty in everything, she was grateful for every new day, simple, humble and bright – this is how she is reflected in her works. In emigration, Olga Alexandrovna’s house became a center for all those who shared the bitter fate of exile. The Grand Duchess continued her charitable activities: her watercolours were exhibited in several European capitals, and the proceeds from the sale went to help Russian emigrants who found themselves in difficult financial situations.

The more one learns about Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, her kindness, her charitably work, her piety, etc., one can truly understand why she remains one of the most beloved and respected members of the Russian Imperial Family and the Romanov Dynasty.

The Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. Life on a Canvas exhibition runs at the Mir Castle until 2nd May 2024.

NOTES:

[1] On 27th July 1901, Grand Duchess Olga married Duke Peter Alexandrovich of Oldenburg (1868-1924). In 1906, the couple settled into ‘Olgino’, their home situated on the Oldenburg estate, in the village of Ramon, near, Voronezh.

In 1915, the couple separated; Olga had no children from her first marriage. On 27th August 1916, Emperor Nicholas II approved the definition of the Holy Synod, which recognized her marriage to Prince of Oldenburg dissolved

© Paul Gilbert. 3 April 2024

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna’s watercolours to be auctioned in Moscow

Posted on by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna poses in front of some her watercolours at Gatchina, late 19th century.

On 14th April 2024, more than 40 watercolours painted by Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (1882-1960), will go under the hammer at an auction in Moscow.

This is the second largest group of Grand Duchess Olga’s works in Russia, the first being the group of 180 watercolours recently gifted to the State Russian Museum in St. Petersbu.

Olga’s watercolours continue to generate interest among professional and amateur collectors, both in Russia and abroad. The demand for her works have helped drive up list prices when any of her paintings are presented at auction. This current group of watercolours is expected to break all previous records.

The auction catalogue [in Russian only] contains a total of 43 watercolors, including landscapes still life, flowers, etc. The total estimated value of this group is 30 million rubles [$325,000 USD]. Estimates of individual lots range from 500,000 [$5,400 USD] to 1.5 million [$16,200 USD] rubles.

A total of 104 items of the Grand Duchess’s legacy will be sold, including autographs of members of the Russian Imperial Family, commemorative medals, pieces of furniture, and sculptures.

This group of watercolours and other items belonged to Olga Nikolaevna Kulikovsky-Romanov (1926-2020), the third wife of Grand Duchess Olga’s eldest son, Tikhon Nicholaevich Kulikovsky (1917-1993). Upon the grand duchess’s death in 1960, the bulk of her estate was acquisitioned by Tikhon. When Tikhon died in 1993, the collection passed to his wife Olga Kulikovsky. During the 1990s, Olga Kulikovsky travelled to Russia, taking the watercolours and other items with her. She toured the country, hosting numerous exhibits of her mother-in-laws paintings to Russians for the first time.

The youngest child and daughter of Emperor Alexander III and the youngest sister of Emperor Nicholas II, Olga was a prolific painter, producing over 2,000 paintings in her lifetime. She studied painting from various Russian masters, including Vasily Makovsky. During her early years in Russia, Olga painted for pleasure, often gifting her watercolours to relatives and friends, signing the works with her first initials.

During her years in exile – in both Denmark and Canada – Olga signed her works with “Olga”. The sale of her paintings provided a source of income for her and her family during their years in exile. This photo comes from the album of her cousin Princess Victoria of Wales.

Let us hope that this current collection of 43 watercolours are purchased as a group, and added to the collection of the State Historical Museum in St. Petersburg – PG

© Paul Gilbert. 2 April 2024

Nicholas II in the news – Winter 2024

Posted on by Paul Gilbert

Russia’s last Emperor and Tsar continues to be the subject of news in Western media. I am pleased to present the following 6 full length articles and news stories published by various Russian, British and US media services, in addition to videos and articles about Nicholas II’s relatives and faithful retainers.

Below, are the articles published in January, February and March 2024. Click on the title [highlighted in red] and follow the link to read each respective article:

How Tsar Nicholas II was ridiculed + 13 PHOTOS

The Emperor was criticized for his alleged brutality in suppressing the First Russian Revolution of 1905-1907. And, at the same time, for the weakness which his enemies allege he showed by allowing the “black monk” Rasputin to almost rule the country – which of course, is utter nonsense!

Source: Russia Beyond. 28 March 2024

Unusual hobbies of the Romanov dynasty + 15 PHOTOS

Men in the Imperial Family usually had careers in the military, while women were mostly involved in charity work. But, they also had unusual hobbies that were important parts of their lives.

Source: Russia Beyond. 14 February 2024

What Russia was like in 1914 + 35 PHOTOS

The following archive photos capture a country that is no more. Thanks to them, we can today see what it was like to live in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century.

Undoubtedly, the main event of the year was the beginning of World War I. On July 19, 1914, Germany declared war against the Russian Empire.

Source: Russia Beyond. 10 February 2024

What Russia was like in 1904 + 24 PHOTOS

These archive photos capture a country that no longer exists. Thanks to them, we can see how the Russian Empire lived at the very beginning of the 20th century: the Russo-Japanese War, the life of the tsar and peasants, transportation, leisure activities and much more!

Source: Russia Beyond. 31 January 2024

5 facts about the most esteemed icon of the Romanov dynasty

The Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is so ancient that its origins are unknown. It became a patron icon of the Romanov family from 1613 to 1917. Today, it remains the patron icon and protector of state power in Russia.

Source: Russia Beyond. 11 January 2024

Why Trotsky Believed It Was Moral to Kill the Tsar’s Children

In his 1938 work “Their Morals and Ours,” Bolshevik revolutionary Leon Trotsky explained why murder in certain circumstances is justified, incljuding the five children of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

Source: Foundation for Economic Education. 26 September 2018

© Paul Gilbert. 31 March 2024