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GRAND DUCHESS (EMPRESS) ALEXANDRIA FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Creator(s):

Currently in storage


About this object

The daughter of Friedrich-Wilhelm III of Prussia, Alexandra married Grand Duke Nicholas Pavlovich, heir to the Russian throne, in 1817. She was the mother of Emperor Alexander II. This work was made after a portrait of the Grand Duchess by Petr Fedorovich Sokolov, who painted her several times. He created many of the watercolorsin Alexandra’s personal album, which was later disassembled.

The half-length portrait portrays Empress Alexandra before 1825, when she was still a Grand Duchess. She faces partly left, with eyes looking forward, against a neutral background. Her blond hair is elaborately styled in an Apollo knot and is embellished with a white rose. She wears an elegant white satin dress with a light blue shawl draped over her right shoulder.

Object name:
GRAND DUCHESS (EMPRESS) ALEXANDRIA FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
Made from:
Watercolor on paper
Date made:
1825-1835
Size:
H. 7 1/ 8 in., W. 5 3/8 in.

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
52.39.2
Signature marks:
inscription The Empress Alexandra/ L’Impératrice Alexandra / née Princesse de Prusse Bottom of page In cursive
Credit line:
Museum Purchase, 2004