Lot 272: Johann Friedrick Gross (1845-1915) Views of Crimea, 1869

Views of Crimea, 1869
original purple velvet portfolio, cover gilt lettered with decorative borders, brass fittings, engraved clasp, moiré silk lining, contains five drawings and the title page:
Number 1 Fountain in Livadia, dated 1869
Number 5 Forêt d'Oulououzaine, dated 1862
Number 7 Holiday festivities among the Tatars of the Southern peninsula, village Mshatka, dated 1869
Number 9 Mountain Ai Petry in Alypka, dated 1869
Number 11 Waterfall Dzhur-dzhur (Kormastura) in the forest of Ulu-Uzensk, dated 1869
each one signed, inscribed in Cyrillic, numbered and titled by the artist, title page with presentation inscription to Emperor Alexander II, with bookplate of the library of Duke of Saxe-Coburg
pencil, white wash, ink on paper; cover: velvet, silk, brass and metal fittings
portfolio: 60 x 47cm (23 5/8 x 18 1/2in).

PROVENANCE:
Presented by the artist to Emperor Alexander II
Probably gifted to Grand Duchess Maria Aleksandrovna, daughter of Emperor Alexander II, who married in 1874 Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Purchased at Christie's, c. 2000

Johann Friedrick Gross, artist and lithographer, completed numerous Crimean views and historical monuments which were published as a series of lithographs and magazine illustrations. His works are currently in the collection of the State Hermitage and the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. The present portfolio appears to be a presentation gift to Emperor Alexander II in 1869.

The wife of Aleksandr II, Empress Maria who suffered from tuberculosis, was advised to spend part of the year away from a cold climate in the Russian capital. Emperor Alexander II ordered a small palace built at the Livadia estate, five miles west from Yalta on the Crimean peninsula. Surrounded by magnificent gardens with antique Italian fountains and Greek and Roman statuary, the estate became the family's favourite summer retreat. The Imperial couple spent their first summer season in Crimea in 1867. The Emperor explored the mountainous areas around the palace, led hunting parties stopping at the little Tatar villages and joining locals for festivities and outdoor celebrations.

Empress Maria returned to Livadia in the fall of 1869 as her health rapidly deteriorated. The Emperor briefly accompanied his wife just to return to St. Petersburg rumoured to continue his new romantic liaison with Princess Dolgorukova.

It would appear that the present portfolio which, according to the inscription on the title page, originally contained twelve drawings, was a sentimental reminder to the Emperor about happier times not so long time ago.