Museum complex

PORTRAIT OF GRAND DUKE PAVEL PETROVICH (PAUL) AND GRAND DUCHESS MARIA FEDOROVNA

Unknown author
Russia
1780s
Marble on black slate. Frame-wood, carving, gilding. Bas
Diameter 30,0 cm
Receipt: purchased in 1942
Showcase 2

This portrait was made shortly after the foreign trip of (Paul) Pavel Petrovich and Maria Feodorovna to Europe, which they made in 1781–1782 under the names of Count and Countess du Nord. The outline of journey at the request of Catherine II was developed by N.B. Yusupov and included only those countries, which were considered allies of Russia; Counts du Nord were not allowed to visit Berlin and meet with Frederick the Great. The young couple visited King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski; Austrian Emperor Joseph; Pope Pius VI; in Paris they met with King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The way back lay through Stuttgart, Vienna, Krakow, Grodno, Mitau and Riga. The couple wasn’t just enjoying a pleasure trip but they also carefully studied matters of state systems and advanced achievements of science and technology in European countries. Returning to Russia, the Count and Countess du Nord brought a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries and books.

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