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Nikolai Egorovich Sverchkov (1817-98)

Alexander II, Emperor of Russia (1818-1881) with Edward VII (1840-1910) when Prince of Wales in a Troika at St Petersburg 1866

Oil on canvas | 72.0 x 113.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 406576

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  • This atmospheric painting of the Prince of Wales and Emperor Alexander II in a troika, amidst a snow-covered landscape at dawn, was probably painted as a gift to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales to St Petersburg in 1866. The Prince travelled to Russia to represent his mother at the marriage of his wife Alexandra's sister Dagmar, to the future Tsar Alexander III. The painting may recall a real occasion. It was included in a vast exhibition of paintings in Leeds in 1868, and later recorded at Sandringham.

    Sverchkov had grown up amidst the imperial stables and studied horses from a young age, becoming a favoured artist of the Emperor and his wife, with his works adorning their private residences. He received his first commission from the Tsarevich Alexander, the future Emperor, in 1853, having recently been appointed an Academician at the Imperial Academy of Arts. That the artist was allowed to build a house and studio at Tsarskoe Selo, c.1866, and lived there from 1870, is evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the Emperor and Empress.

    A prolific artist, Sverchkov specialised in troika scenes – a powerful symbol of Russian identity – and this work is evidence of his proficiency. The idea of movement is skilfully conveyed through the carefully observed horses and the rendering of the ‘cloud’ of snow, which contrasts with the thicker impasto of the heavier snow on the ground, and the dark scrubby plants pushing through. The carefully modelled heads of Alexander and his guest were probably added last, and are probably taken from contemporary photographs (RCINs 2901543, 2927154). The static figure to the right, part of Sverchkov’s stock repertoire of peasant figures, bows to the passing royal guest; it also contributes to a sense of movement. The lively scene was presumably engraved and then the image adapted as a motif for smaller items of decorative art.

    A second troika scene, painted on a fine French canvas, with a frame from a Parisian framemaker, was presented to the Prince of Wales, possibly c.1874 (at the time of the wedding of the Prince’s brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, to Grand Duchess Maria) (RCIN 406605). This was recorded at Buckingham Palace in 1909. A further small sleigh scene was also recorded at Sandringham in 1877; this passed to Princess Victoria on the death of Queen Alexandra.

    Nikolai Egorovich Sverchkov (1817-98) taught himself through studying paintings in museums during his travels in France, Germany and Holland. In 1852, he became a member of the Academy in St Petersburg, and in 1859 he began exhibiting his work in Paris where, in 1863, his Return from the Bear Hunt was bought by Napoleon III. For this, and two other paintings Sverchkov was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour.
    Provenance

    Presumably a gift from Alexander II to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales; first recorded at Sandringham in 1877

  • Medium and techniques

    Oil on canvas

    Measurements

    72.0 x 113.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)

    93.2 x 133.7 x 5.0 cm (frame, external)

  • Alternative title(s)

    Alexander II, Emperor of Russia (1818-1881) with Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII (1840-1910) in a troika at St Petersburg


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