Studio of George Dawe

huile sur toile
signée en bas à droite

A gift from Nicholas II of Russia to Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark in 1910
Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark, his daughter
Thence by descent to the present owners

London, Belgrave Square, Exhibition of Russian Art, 4 June - 13 July 1935, no.682

Catalogue of the Exhibition of Russian Art, London, 1935, p.127, no.682 listed as The Emperor Nicholas I of Russia by George Dawe, lent by H.R.H. Prince Nicholas of Greece

The canvas has been lined and the original tacking edges are missing. There is a layer of surface dirt and dust, with spots of dirt in places. Accretions of dirt have built up in the areas of impasto on the epaulettes. Retouchings to the background to the left of the sitter's head and at the edges are visible to the naked eye. At the edges are frame abrasions with associated minor paint loss. There is fine craquelure throughout the paint layer, most notably to the face. A few surface scratches are visible in places and there is a small loss in the impasto on the left epaulette. Inspection under UV light reveals the aforementioned retouching to the edges and in the background. It also reveals a possible older signature lying beneath an older layer of discoloured varnish. Thin lengths of wood have been nailed to the tacking edges. Held in an ornate gilt wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present portrait of Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich is one of a series of portraits executed by the British painter George Dawe and his studio. The earliest large full-length portrait, signed and dated 1821 (State Hermitage), served as the prototype for official and half-length portraits of the future Tsar in various uniforms (and the 1826 engravings by John Robinson and Thomas Wright).

The sitter himself was particularly keen on the smaller half-length format. This version was copied numerous times in Dawe’s studio, and some of these copies were commissioned by the Imperial Household as gifts for member of the Imperial family. It was also reproduced on porcelain and as miniatures.

The present version is based on an original by Dawe and features his characteristic treatment of the paint surface in the lightest parts of the face and uniform. The sitter is represented in the standard general’s uniform with the Orders of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called (star and sash); St Vladimir (star and sash under the uniform); and the Swedish Order of the Sword (in the buttonhole).

The present work is of special commemorative significance. In January 1910 it was given by Tsar Nicholas II to his cousin 'the Greek Nicky’, Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark, during a hunting trip to Ropsha near Peterhof, as attested to by the handwritten letter illustrated on the previous page.

We are grateful to Dr Galina Andreeva for providing this note.