Although you may not believe it from the evidence of my trip so far, not all of my trip was dedicated to British and ballet history. (Most of it, but not quite all of it….) When Hisdoryan and I discovered that there was going to be a Romanov exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, we knew we had to add it to our history day out in London together! And I am so, so glad that we did. The Russia, Royalty, and the Romanovs exhibition was quietly fantastic, and an excellent foray into the art world….
The Romanovs are key to my entry into history. I discovered Anastasia in the fourth grade (via her Royal Diary, from Scholastic), and I was hooked into history from then on out. I’m sure that many little girls discovered their love of history in much the same way but there it is. And then you factor in how much I know of Queen Victoria’s children’s European marriages! Well, it adds up to an interest in the links between the Russian and British royal families. Enter the Russia, Royalty, and the Romanovs exhibition.
Is any Romanov exhibition ever complete without a portrait of Catherine the Great? An incredibly important figure in Russian history, this portrait of her from the 1760s is quite impressive. I personally probably would have made it a capstone piece in the exhibition, because I think that most people would recognise her first, but she still stands out!
And of course, the ill-fated Nicholas II. Cut a striking figure, much like his cousin George V of Great Britain, but such a different ending to his story. If nothing else, he truly was a Romanov through and through. I’ve not seen this portrait before, and it might be one of my favourite royal portraits. It captures both the majestic and human side to Nicholas, not common with the Romanovs!
Are you interested in the Romanovs and their history?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I didn’t know Anastasia had a diary! I’ll need to look this up.
This is a very brief overview. I kinda thought it would be a review of the exhibit. I like the photos though.
On a fiction-related note: have you read “The Winter Palace” by Eva Stachniak? It’s about a female spy during hte reign of Catherine the Great- for Catherine the Great.
There will be a full review of the exhibition coming but I didn’t have any time for full posts during the trip!
I have read The Winter Palace but I haven’t read any further in the series yet- I thought it was a great novel but Massie’s biography is more engaging and entertaining!