Imperial Russia 1823 Portrait Miniature of the Tsar?

[Guest Rick Research]

This tiny little (the entire framed portrait is about the size of a thumbprint) miniature under glass came by to visit today. My only suggestion to my friend the owner is that it might be the Tsar:

That is clearly an Order of Saint George cross.

[Guest Rick Research]

Front

By A. Becker 1823? From A. Becker 1823? To A. Becker 1823?

Obtained in Germany in 1945.

[GeorgeCL]

Yes

Looks like Alexander Pavlovich,

Alexander 1 1801-1825

George

[Guest Rick Research]

Thanks George!

I suspect all the flaws are in the glass/crystal... it is SO tiny that they are impossible to see with just eyes but look huge under this magnification.

Is the tiny folded up piece of paper simply a typical way for the artist to have "signed," or would this bear a "secret message" to a recipient from the gift giver?

[Naxos]

Alexander of Russia -

Edited March 22, 2008 by Naxos

[Guest Rick Research]

The actual portrait is roughly the size of a fingernail. I have no clue how it was humanly possible to have gotten so much detail into something so incredibly small. It's gone home now, but this is about the REAL size of it:

[GeorgeCL]

Hi Rick

Did it look as if painted on Ivory?

The small paper may have held a hair keepsake of the Czar for a special friend.

George

[Guest Rick Research]

Can't tell what the micro portrait's on-- it's completely painted over whatever is in there. So is that what was usually used?

[Bear]

Hello Rick,

One of the members has a miniature portrait album.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?autocom=galler...um&album=47

thanks,

barry

[Guest Rick Research]

Great items-- I hadn't realized that was there!

[GeorgeCL]

Yes Rick,

They used Ivory because it was a stable medium for paint.

Nice link Bear, I didnt know it was there either.

George