Painting of the Day: Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia, in Repose, 1855

Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia
Miniature
Watercolor on Ivory, 1855
H.P. Heidemanns
The Royal Collection

Well, by “repose,” I suppose I mean, “dead.” This rather grim miniature was painted in watercolor on ivory in 1855, the year of Emperor Nicholas I’s death. The usually sturdy Russian leader caught a chill during the Crimean War and ignored it, continuing his strenuous work schedule. He developed pneumonia and died.


Queen Victoria purchased the miniature in 1879. Most likely her interest in the object stemmed from her ongoing feelings of guilt about the Crimean War. Despite its somber subject matter, it’s a lovely little painting from the hand of Henri Philippe Heidemanns.

Masterpiece of the Week: A Mosaic of Nicholas I, Czar of Russia, 1828

Tsar Nicholas I
Glass Mosaic, c. 1828
Michelangelo Barberi
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Composed of glass tesserae, this bust portrait depicts Nicholas I, Czar of Russia in military uniform.  This mosaic was made in the traditional Italian style in Rome around 1828 by Michelangelo Barberi (1787-1867).  

Mastery of Design: A Portrait Ring of Nicholas I, 1833

Portrait Ring of Nicholas I, Emperior of Russia
Ivan Winberg, 1833
Miniature of Watercolor on Ivory
Gold, Diamonds, Enamel
The Royal Collection

This magnificent ring dates to 1833 and is attributed to the painter Ivan Winberg. Here, we have a miniature portrait of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia set behind a flat-cut diamond. The watercolor on ivory miniature is set in a ring of enamel, diamonds, and gold. The portrait is surmounted by a diamond-set imperial crown. The shoulders of the ring are flanked with enameled, double-headed eagles of Russia.


I don’t suppose it will come as a shock to anyone at this point that this ring came into the Royal Collection via Queen Mary (of Teck). How she got it, I don’t know. But, she got it—as one does.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Click image to enlarge.

Masterpiece of the Week: A Mosaic of Nicholas I, Czar of Russia, 1828

Tsar Nicholas I
Glass Mosaic, c. 1828
Michelangelo Barberi
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Composed of glass tesserae, this bust portrait depicts Nicholas I, Czar of Russia in military uniform.  This mosaic was made in the traditional Italian style in Rome around 1828 by Michelangelo Barberi (1787-1867). 

Painting of the Day: Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia, in Repose, 1855

Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia
Miniature
Watercolor on Ivory, 1855
H.P. Heidemanns
The Royal Collection

Well, by “repose,” I suppose I mean, “dead.” This rather grim miniature was painted in watercolor on ivory in 1855, the year of Emperor Nicholas I’s death. The usually sturdy Russian leader caught a chill during the Crimean War and ignored it, continuing his strenuous work schedule. He developed pneumonia and died.


Queen Victoria purchased the miniature in 1879. Most likely her interest in the object stemmed from her ongoing feelings of guilt about the Crimean War. Despite its somber subject matter, it’s a lovely little painting from the hand of Henri Philippe Heidemanns.