PORTRAIT OF GRAND DUCHESS ELENA PAVLOVNA

Made by: Christina Sanders Robertson

On view in: Marjorie Post's Bedroom Hall

About this object

Christina Robertson was a British portrait and miniature painter. Born Christina Saunders in Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland, Robertson learned to paint miniatures from her uncle, George Saunders, a miniaturist based in London. Robertson developed a successful portrait career and often traveled abroad in search of new clients. From 1839-1841, Robertson lived and worked in St. Petersburg, Russia. After spending eight years in her London studio, Robertson returned to Russia in 1849 to work as a portraitist for the imperial family. The sitter in this portrait may be a member of the Russian artistocracy, but no positive identification has been made.

Portrait of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, almost full length seated on a red sofa. Her golden hair is dressed with braids on either side. Her green dress is low cut and trimmed with lace. She wears necklaces and bracelets. At left is a table with a marble top, a vase of flowers, an open book and a golden vase in the 17th century style. Over back of sofa is a reddish cloak lined with ermine. Behind the sofa is an elaborately carved ebony cabinet with two Renaissance rock crystal vases. Bronze frame is contemporary to the painting.

Category:

paintings

Object name:

PORTRAIT OF GRAND DUCHESS ELENA PAVLOVNA

Made from:

Watercolor on ivory --bronze

Made in:

Russia

Date made:

1841

Size:

24.8 × 19.1 cm (9 3/4 × 7 1/2 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

53.28

Class:

MINIATURE

Signature marks:

SIGNATURE: Christina Robertson p. [on front] Christina Robertson painted this (pinxit) DATE: 1841 [on front] 4/6 [inside the back of the frame]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973