By experts established that the «Unknown» on the canvas of the artist Timothy to Neff's from the collection of of Ekaterinburg Museum of of Fine of Art is a a portrait of of the Great of Princess of Anna Pavlovna's, queen of the Netherland

Timothy Neff Portrait of Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna. Around 1855-1856
Source: ekburg.ru

In Ekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts in the "unknown" on the canvas artist Timothy Neff identified the Great Duchess Anna Pavlovna, Queen of the Netherlands. Before the attribution has been known that the painting is the author's signature and year of creation: Neff in 1856. However, who is depicted on it - remained a mystery, and therefore the product for many years was listed in the museum as a "Portrait of a Woman." The work was written by Timothy Andreyevich Neff (1804-1876), court painter Nicholas I and Alexander II, the author of numerous portraits of high society.

While studying painting attention head of the department of domestic and foreign art Olga Gornung attracted attributes depicted in the portrait, above all signs of the Order of St. Catherine, who was considered the second-highest in the hierarchy of Russian awards since 1714. The painting depicts a woman entrusted with the insignia of the Order of St.. Catherine I of a degree - red with a silver rim tape, which was worn over the right shoulder, and an eight-pointed star on the left side of the chest with placed on it Order's motto: "For love and country." Signs of the Order of the Grand Cross, or the highest degree, had the right to wear a "princess royal (royal) blood" as is ", as well as for special services, including education, the ladies of noble origin." In just 200 years of existence of the Order, the highest degree was awarded by 310 people. Thus, the range of possible characters narrowed.

other details, draw attention to themselves, was thrown over the shoulders shown ermine mantle, which, as is known, was part of the royal regalia and was part of heraldry, that could indicate a person of the Imperial House.

following attributes portrait - depicted a woman jewelry that are exceptional in its richness, artistic quality, size and number reposition them gems. These accessories have suggested that the picture shows one of the Grand Duchesses of the Romanovs, and the period of writing works allowed to concentrate on the daughters of Paul I. After comparing numerous portraits of the princesses became clear that the painting depicts the Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna, the youngest daughter of Emperor Paul I and Empress Maria Feodorovna. In 1816, 20-year-old Anna was married to Dutch Crown Prince of Orange (1840 by King Willem II). In the 1840-1849 years, Anna Pavlovna was the queen of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. In 1855-1856 years Dowager Queen has visited Russia, and it was then written this previously unknown portrait.

Russian State Historical Archive preserved the "Register dowry things belonging to Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna, "1816. From the brilliant "things" is specified and "piece diamond with rubies." The fate of jewelry Anna Pavlovna - another fascinating story.

portrait was painted Neff in 1855-1856, respectively, during the arrival of 60-year-old dowager queen of the Netherlands in Russia. It is known that in 1855 Anna had a quarrel with his eldest son, King Willem III, and decided to return home. She came to Gatchina in November 1855 and again saw the landscapes favorite park, bridges, lakes ... But to return the past was impossible. Anna was the last daughter of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna, still lived in the world, and pretty soon I realized that here, in the new Russia, it is no use to anybody with their old-fashioned habits and Karamzinskaya syllable. Having been in Moscow and prayed in its cathedrals, the Dowager Queen went back to Holland for a long time which has become her home.

Source : ekburg.ru