Portraits of Nicholas II by the contemporary Russian artist Yuri Ashikov

It is very rare for a new Romanov exhibition to escape my notice, however, I only just recently learned of a very interesting exhibition of a contemporary Russian artist’s portraits of Emperor Nicholas II, which was held in Moscow in the Spring of 2024.

The Romanovs. Cultural Heritage exhibition showcased portraits of the last Tsar by Yuri Ashikov, a contemporary artist, who is virtually unknown of in the West. The exhibition was held from 28th April to 15th May 2024, in the Museum of Emperor Nicholas II in Moscow.

On display were the artist’s portraits of members of Emperor Nicholas II and his family, painted or drawn in the revived and almost lost, rare school of Russian realism in the portrait class, made popular during the late 19th and early 20th century by the famous Russian artist Valentin Alexandrovich Serov (1865-1911).

It is significant that Valentin Serov was the last artist to paint Emperor Nicholas II. In Yuri Ashikov’s paintings and drawings, you see the whole essence and beauty of the School of Russian Realism in a modern interpretation.

The culture of the late 19th century is directly and very closely related to the style in which the artist’s works are painted. Ashikov has managed to capture his August subject from iconic vintage photographs and paintings of the Tsar and his family. For instance, the portrait used for the exhibition poster (seen above) is based on a 1905 photograph of Nicholas II holding his infant son Alexei on his lap (see photo below) – it is truly beautiful beyond words!

I posted the above photo on my Facebook page several years ago, it was one of a series of four or five similar photos (though there are probably others?), but this one in particular, touched my heart.

This endearing image shows the Emperor Nicholas II seated on the porch of the Lower Dacha, Peterhof, while holding his infant son and heir Tsesarevich Alexei, c. 1905.

The Emperor is seen as a ‘proud papa’ pointing at something which has caught his eye in the garden, and he wants to share with Alexei.

Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich was born in the Lower Dacha at Peterhof on 12th August (O.S. 30th July) 1904. He was named Alexei – in honour of St. Alexius of Moscow (1296–1378).

About the artist – Yuri Ashikov

PHOTO: the contemporary Russian artist Yuri Ashikov visiting his “favourite museum”, while posing in front of a portrait of Emperor Nicholas II

Born in 1994, Yuri Ashikov is a contemporary Russian painter, photographer, sculptor, architect and art designer. He graduated, from the Stroganov School Faculty of Design in Moscow, trained in London and Japan, Latvia and Italy, studying not only drawing, but also design and architecture.

For three years, the artist worked on the “Romanov project”, creating a number of both paintings and charcoal drawings of the Tsar, his wife and children. Yuri wrote: “… I want the paintings to be alive, and each work to evoke emotions in the person… Each new project sets its own style, technique and materials. But most of my work I start in the traditional style – with charcoal.”

His exquisite paintings, which are recreated from iconic photographs and paintings of Russia’s last Tsar. They have been exhibited in cities across the Russian Federation, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Below, are some of Yuri Ashikov’s portraits of Emperor Nicholas II . . .