Russian School (18th Century) "Portrait of a Nobleman, Possibly Count Grigory Orlov (1734-1783)" oil on canvas unsigned. Presented in a 19th-century giltwood frame. 30" x 24", framed 40-1/2" x 35-1/2" Notes: A member of a politically prominent Russian noble family, Grigory Orlov was a cadet in St. Petersburg when he was noticed by the then Grand Duchess Catherine. He soon became one of her favorites, a position that was cemented when he organized the coup to overthrow her husband, Peter III. Orlov was able to deftly maneuver the vagaries and intrigues of the infamously complex Russian royal court for years, until 1771 when he returned from one of his only unsuccessful diplomatic missions to find himself essentially replaced and officially deemed a nonentity. The insignia which Orlov displays so prominently in this portrait is the Order of the White Eagle, an honor of Polish origins. While this may seem somewhat surprising - especially when taking into account the tense diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland at the time -there was a period during Catherine's reign when the order was annexed by the Empress. It was conferred by her to her paramours and closest personal allies. Reference: Hazelton, Alan W., "Russian Imperial Orders". Numismatic Notes and Monographs, Issue 51, New York: American Numismatic Society, 1932.
Russian School (18th Century) "Portrait of a Nobleman, Possibly Count Grigory Orlov (1734-1783)" oil on canvas unsigned. Presented in a 19th-century giltwood frame. 30" x 24", framed 40-1/2" x 35-1/2" Notes: A member of a politically prominent Russian noble family, Grigory Orlov was a cadet in St. Petersburg when he was noticed by the then Grand Duchess Catherine. He soon became one of her favorites, a position that was cemented when he organized the coup to overthrow her husband, Peter III. Orlov was able to deftly maneuver the vagaries and intrigues of the infamously complex Russian royal court for years, until 1771 when he returned from one of his only unsuccessful diplomatic missions to find himself essentially replaced and officially deemed a nonentity. The insignia which Orlov displays so prominently in this portrait is the Order of the White Eagle, an honor of Polish origins. While this may seem somewhat surprising - especially when taking into account the tense diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland at the time -there was a period during Catherine's reign when the order was annexed by the Empress. It was conferred by her to her paramours and closest personal allies. Reference: Hazelton, Alan W., "Russian Imperial Orders". Numismatic Notes and Monographs, Issue 51, New York: American Numismatic Society, 1932.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
