Entry of Emperor Alexander II of Russia and his daughter, attributed to Mikhail Alexandrovich Zichy (1827-1906)

Attributed to Mikhail Alexandrovich Zichy (1827-1906)
Entry of Emperor Alexander II of Russia and his daughter, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna

Graphite, watercolor, and gouache
16 7/8 x 14 1/8 in
42.9 x 35.9 cm

Provenance
Former collection of Joanny Benoît Peytel (1844 - 1924)
Private collection, France

Mikhail Alexandrovich Zichy (1827-1906) was a Hungarian-born painter and illustrator, primarily active in Russia. Born in Zala, Hungary, he displayed early artistic talent and received academic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. In 1847, he was invited to Saint Petersburg to work as a drawing instructor and soon became a court painter under the reigns of Tsars Alexander II and Alexander III.

Zichy is best known for his elegant and detailed illustrations, as well as his depictions of life at the Russian imperial court. He excelled in drawing and watercolor genres, often creating works for official commissions. His art, marked by realism and a certain romantic delicacy, is distinguished by his representations of ceremonies, hunting scenes, and his sensitivity in capturing dramatic or erotic scenes.

The artist spent some time in France, notably in Paris, where he stayed during the 1870s and 1880s. During this period, he exhibited several times at the Paris Salon, drawing attention for the quality of his drawings and watercolors. His works, often small in size, demonstrate his ability to depict human emotion and life's subtleties.

Zichy's works are now housed in several prestigious collections, including the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, which holds a collection of his drawings. His distinctive style and role as a court artist make him an important figure in 19th-century art, bridging the gap between academic tradition and the romantic tendencies of the time.

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