At Russian Christie's auction in London on 8 June will be exhibited large-scale work Michael Zichy , which he created for the day silver jubilee wedding of Emperor Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna, in 1866 (estimate 400-600 thousand pounds). This lot was presented as a gift to the mother of the present owner's daughter of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich princess Irina Paley in 1941.

MICHAEL Zichy
work of art created for the silver jubilee of the wedding of Emperor Alexander II. 1866
paper on canvas, watercolor, photography. Diameter 133
Christie's. 08/06/2010. Lot № 20
estimate: 400-600 thousand pounds

rarity of this work highlights the fact that to date there are only a small number of works by Michael Zichy performed composition in the form of a kind kaleidoscope, the more of such impressive proportions. Most similar works are in museum collections. Thus, the "Celebration of St George in the Winter Palace November 26, 1887" is part of the State Russian Museum St. Petersburg, "Receiving the Shah Nasir al-Din, in St. Petersburg during his visit, 11-14 May 1889" and "Celebrating the centennial of the Life Guards Pavlovsky Regiment "in 1890 are in the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg.

composition consists of 24 medallions, on which scenes from the 25-year joint life of the imperial couple (1841 -1866). In the lower and upper parts of the work are angels holding a coat of arms of the Russian Empire and the German principality of Hesse-Darmstadt. Coupled arms over a medallion depicting a wedding ceremony symbolize the union between Russia and Germany, bearing the marriage of Alexander II (1818-1881) and Maria Alexandrovna (nee Princess Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt) (1824-1880).

Scenes from a Marriage complement the medallions on the birth of each of the eight children (birth dates are marked with gold paint, and the date of death of two older children and parents of Alexander - Nicholas I and Alexandra - black). Abolition of serfdom (1861), after which Alexander II was awarded the epithet "the Liberator", dedicated to the medallion in the base composition. On the right image lies a bronze monument "Millennium of Russia", which was built in 1862 in honor of the anniversary of the legendary Varangian calling on Russia. On the perimeter tracks are medallions depicting scenes of the Crimean War (1853-1856), and the victory in the Caucasian War (1817-1864) presented a medallion in the lower right corner, where the footage shows the capture of Imam Shamil (1797-1891) in 1859.

In the center of the composition is photography, which shows (from left to right): the future Emperor Alexander III (1845-1894), Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich (1857-1905), Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich ( 1860-1919), Emperor Alexander II, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna (1853-1920), Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich (1850-1908) and Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909). According to the study image, it is likely that the darkened silhouette discernible shape for the emperor, who died belonged Tsarevich Nikolai Aleksandrovich (1843-1865).

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favorite court portraitist of Emperor Nicholas I (1796-1855) and Alexander II (1818-1881) Michael (Mihai) Zichy was born in 1827 in the Hungarian town of Hall. For the first time he was invited to Russia in 1847, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna (1807-1873) as a teacher of drawing and painting of her daughter, Grand Duchess Ekaterina Mikhailovna (1827-1894). After you create watercolor sketches of the coronation of Emperor Alexander II Zichy was awarded the title of academician of Saint-Petersburg Academy of Arts in 1856. In 1859 he was appointed court painter, and remained in that post until 1873. In this capacity, Zichy had the opportunity to observe and capture scenes from the life of the imperial family. His hands belong to images of parades, family events, parties, theatrical performances, hunting scenes. In addition, during his career Zichy created a large number of erotic images.

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work of Michael Zichy created for the silver jubilee wedding Emperor Alexander II, can be seen on the pre-auction exhibition in London on 5-7 June.

Source : Press Release Christie's