Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II, 1900 by Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov
Canvas Print - 18134-SVA
Location: The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, RussiaOriginal Size: 71.2 x 59.2 cm
Giclée Canvas Print | $61.43 USD
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By using the red up or down arrows, you have the option to proportionally increase or decrease the printed area in inches as per your preference.
*Max printing size: 24 x 19.6 in
*Max framing size: Long side up to 28"
"Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II" will be custom-printed for your order using the latest giclée printing technology. This technique ensures that the Canvas Print captures an exceptional level of detail, showcasing vibrant and vivid colors with remarkable clarity.
Our use of the finest quality, fine-textured canvas lends art reproductions a painting-like appearance. Combined with a satin-gloss coating, it delivers exceptional print outcomes, showcasing vivid colors, intricate details, deep blacks, and impeccable contrasts. The canvas structure is also highly compatible with canvas stretching frames, further enhancing its versatility.
To ensure proper stretching of the artwork on the stretcher-bar, we add additional blank borders around the printed area on all sides.
Our printing process utilizes cutting-edge technology and employs the Giclée printmaking method, ensuring exceptional quality. The colors undergo independent verification, guaranteeing a lifespan of over 100 years.
Please note that there are postal restrictions limiting the size of framed prints to a maximum of 28 inches along the longest side of the painting. If you desire a larger art print, we recommend utilizing the services of your local framing studio.
*It is important to mention that the framing option is unavailable for certain paintings, such as those with oval or round shapes.
If you select a frameless art print of "Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II" by Valentin Serov, it will be prepared for shipment within 48 hours. However, if you prefer a framed artwork, the printing and framing process will typically require approximately 7-8 days before it is ready to be shipped.
We provide complimentary delivery for up to two unframed (rolled-up) art prints in a single order. Our standard delivery is free and typically takes 10-14 working days to arrive.
For faster shipping, we also offer express DHL shipping, which usually takes 2-4 working days. The cost of express shipping is determined by the weight and volume of the shipment, as well as the delivery destination.
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All unframed art prints are delivered rolled up in secure postal tubes, ensuring their protection during transportation. Framed art prints, on the other hand, are shipped in cardboard packaging with additional corner protectors for added safety.
Painting Information
The portrait presents the Emperor in a restrained moment of repose, seated before a subdued backdrop that draws attention to his face. Clad in the gray uniform of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, his figure is devoid of superfluous adornments, allowing the viewer to focus on the subdued yet resolute expression. The carefully arranged hands resting on the table reinforce a sense of composure, while the slight tilt of the head suggests a contemplative state. This choice of ordinary military attire, rather than regal robes, highlights the subject’s vulnerability and underscores the private nature of the commission.
In examining the color palette, one observes Serov’s deliberate harmonizing of neutral grays, soft browns, and muted golds. This reserved interplay of tones underscores the Emperor’s melancholic bearing, suggesting that solemn duty weighs on him. The deft application of beige and olive tones in the background, interspersed with understated glimpses of deeper shades, creates an atmosphere of subdued dignity. Such a palette diminishes any ostentatious quality, instead embracing a mood that is reflective, and all the more poignant for its lack of pomp.
Technically, the painting reflects Serov’s distinctive brushwork. Each stroke carries palpable energy, though the final image retains an air of refinement. There is a certain freedom in the handling of paint across the Emperor’s uniform, which contrasts with a more methodical approach on the face. This duality underscores the artist’s adaptability: bold in capturing movement and texture in the clothing, yet precise and exacting when portraying the sitter’s countenance. The lack of intricate details lends the work a sense of immediacy, as if the portrait’s essence has been distilled rather than meticulously polished.
Compositionally, the Emperor is anchored at the center, and the uncluttered setting channels one’s gaze steadily upon his visage. The neutral background intensifies the sitter’s presence, inviting close study of his expression and posture. Historically, this piece marks a rare departure from imperial grandeur, and it resonates with the epoch’s subtle shifts toward more personal and psychologically aware representations. The knowledge that it was intended as a private gift further illuminates its contemplative air. Here, we encounter not simply a ruler, but a man rendered with a quiet sensitivity that reveals a glimpse into the burdens behind power.
Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov
Original Size:116.2 x 77.5 cm
The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia