Lot 382: A Group of Seven Photographs of the Russian Imperial Family and Others, circa 1906-1916

Seven gelatin silver prints including a formal portraits and more informal photographs of Emperor Nicholas II, Tsarevich Alexei, and the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia along with Count Freedericksz including a group portrait of seated military officers including Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, Prince Vasilchikov and Count Vorontsov-Dashkov, autographed by the sitters and dated Moscow, May 1912, a formal studio portrait of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, signed and dated 1907

measurements largest image 6 x 7 in. alternate measurements 15 x 19.6 cm

Count Vladimir Borisovich Freedericksz (1838-1927)
Sold: Christie's New York, 19 October 1989, lot 70

This group of photographs documents the unusually close relationship between the Minister of the Imperial Court Count Vladimir Freedericksz (or Fredericks) and the family of Emperor Nicholas II. In his memoirs At the Court of the Last Tsar (London, 1935), Court Chancellor Alexander Mosolov remembered that Freedericksz "was the only one who really enjoyed the Tsar's confidence [...] the Emperor confided his difficulties in dealing with ministers and grand dukes [with Freedericksz]. The Count had a special flair for the discovery of a good solution which brought all concerned into agreement with one another." Because he enjoyed such close and comfortable relations with the Emperor, Freedericksz was regularly invited to intimate family parties, children's birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, and other special occasions. The more informal photographs of the Imperial family at leisure in this group are clearly records of these close relations.