Lot 94: Portrait of Iusupov

Johannes Linse (1875-1930) Portrait of Iusupov signed 'Joh Linse' (lower right) oil on canvas 80 x 48¼ in. (203.2 x 122.8 cm.)

Prince Felix Feliksovich Iusupov, Count Sumarokov-Elston (1887-1967), notoriously famous for his leading role in the assassination of Grigorii Rasputin in 1916, was one of the most fascinating and glamorous personalities of the late Imperial Russia. Born into the most aristocratic and wealthy family of Russia, his personality was charming and sophisticated but tempered by arrogance and hedonism. Known as a "golden boy," Felix threw himself headlong into the glamorous life of St. Petersburg, indulging in every pleasure and pastime. He was equally comfortable at grand court receptions or at fashionable restaurants, bohemian clubs or popular nightspots. He lived a sheltered life of privilege and became an heir to the family fortune in 1908 after his older brother was killed in a duel. As a result of the tragic death of his brother and his close friendship with Grand Duchess Elizaveta, sister of Empress Alexandra, Felix underwent a conversion of sorts, and channeled his abundant energy into various charitable projects. He spent three years in Oxford, England polishing his education and a year later became engaged to Grand Duchess Irina (1895-1970), niece of the Emperor Nicholas II and granddaughter of the dowager Empress Maria. The wedding took place on February 9, 1914 in Anichkov Palace and became the most talked about event of the season. The long list of jewelry presented to the young bride was a subject of St. Petersburg drawing room conversations for many months. But the carefree life that Felix was used to was coming to an end. By 1916 he was deeply involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Grigorii Rasputin, the Siberian monk who gained enormous influence over the imperial couple. Felix Iusupov became a key conspirator and participant in the assassination that took place in his private quarters at the family's grand Palace on the Moika River on December 17, 1916. Outraged Emperor Nicholas II forced Felix into exile to one of his family estates in the Kurk province, where he stayed until the news of the Tsar's abdication and chaos of revolution forced him to seek shelter in the remote Crimea. Iusupov's family eventually left Russia in April 1919 aboard a British war ship that took them to safety along with a few members of the Russian Imperial family. All that he was able to rescue from his enormous family fortune were two portraits by Rembrandt and a fabled collection of jewels that belonged to his mother, Zinaida Iusupov. They lived in England at first, and settled in Paris later. The two masterpieces by Rembrandt were sold to an American collector, who eventually donated them to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The Historic jewels were sold to Cartier to finance the lavish lifestyle the Iusupovs struggled to maintain. Royalties from two books of memoirs written by Felix, and the sale of some property allowed Felix to give generously to many émigré causes and support to a number of charities. The biggest asset was a settlement that Felix and Irina won against the MGM studio, in connection with the movie, 'Rasputin the Mad Monk'. Felix and Irina moved in a dazzling circle of friends, including the Philippe de Rothschilds; Count and Countess von Bismarck; J. Paul Getty; Sir Oswald and Lady Mosley; the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; Gertrude Laurence, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Even in exile Felix remained a symbol of sophistication, a well-mannered, impeccably dressed, handsome prince who captivated those who knew him. He was active with various charitable courses, and organized a number of balls to benefit struggling Russian émigrés and Russian cultural institutions. The current portrait was most likely painted during F. Iusupov's exile period in Paris. It is possible that it was painted in connection with one of the Russian costume balls that Felix helped to organize; the most famous of all being the ball at Albert Hall in London in 1920. Participants arrived dressed in the traditional costumes similar to the famous Costume Ball given at the Russian Court in February 1903, where guests were dressed in costumes from the times of Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich. Here, dashing Felix Iusupov is dressed in the traditional 17th century costume similar to a costume he wore to one of the Russian balls (fig 1). The grand portrait presents a nostalgic vision of the glamorous lifestyle of one of Imperial Russia's most famous personalities.