2631 - The Romanov Dynasty—Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (standing, reading), presumably in his study at the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. (Tsarskoye Selo?), (no information on the photographer or studio), (taken ca. 1906). Vintage. Gelatin silver print. 9 x 9 cm.

The Romanov Dynasty—Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (standing, reading), presumably in his study at the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. (Tsarskoye Selo?), (no information on the photographer or studio), (taken ca. 1906). Vintage. Gelatin silver print. 9 x 9 cm. Not an official portrait. The provenance of the print suggests a purely private photograph, though the identity of the photographer—who was likely part of a close circle—remains unknown. Royal houses of the time would sometimes arrange more “intimate” genre scenes for authorized publication, but this is unlikely to be the case for this photograph. - With a pronounced horizontal crease; the print shows reduced contrast and slight overexposure in two corners. - Provenance: Formerly owned by Grand Duchess Maria Aleksandrovna (1853–1920), the younger daughter of Alexander II of Russia from his first marriage, Duchess of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; private collection in Switzerland, private collection in southern Germany.