Tsarevna Maria

Ann Lowe evening dress, 1966-67

Luis de Madrazo

Spanish, 1825-1897

Pierre Gillard, describing his first impressions of the eldest daughters of Nicholas II, whom he met in 1905:

L’aînée des grandes-duchesses, Olga, fillette de dix ans, très blonde, yeux pétillants de malice, nez légèrement relevé, m’examinait avec un regard qui semblait chercher dès la première minute le défaut de la cuirasse, mais il se dégageait de cette enfant une impression de pureté et de franchise qui vous la rendait de prime abord sympathique.

La seconde, Tatiana, âgée de huit ans et demi, aux cheveux châtains, était plus jolie que sa sœur mais donnait l’impression de moins d’ouverture, de franchise et de spontanéité.

Trans:

The eldest of the grand duchesses, Olga, was a child of ten years. Quite blonde, eyes sparkling with malice, her nose delicately lifted, she examined me with a gaze which seemed to be searching, from the very beginning, for even the smallest of faults. Yet there was an impression of purity and of frankness from this child, which rendered her immediately agreeable.

The second daughter, Tatiana, aged eight and a half, with chestnut hair, was prettier than her sister. Yet she gave the impression of less openness, less frankness, and less spontaneity.

Quote: Treize Années à la cour de Russie (trans: Thirteen Years at the Russian Court) by Pierre Gilliard (translated by me).

Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fyodorovna reading in her sister´s Mauve room, Alexander Palace

Marie Antoinette in the Queen’s Bedchamber

1803-1807 Woman’s dress

silk, satin, metal