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Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Emperor Nicholas I
« on: May 23, 2006, 10:06:41 PM »
sorry granduchesse ella, I had to read all the replies before post 
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2
Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Emperor Nicholas I
« on: May 23, 2006, 10:02:49 PM »
Hello 
You can read this in the introduction of "the camera and the tsars" from Charlotte Zeepvat: "the earliest surviving daguerreotypes of the imperial family taken from life, date from the end of the 1840s. The State Hermitage in St Petersburg owns two: one of Nicholas I and one of his eldest daughter, Grand Princess Maria Nikolaevna, taken by unknow photographers. There may have been other early photographs which have not survived...... But Nicholas may not have cared much for photography beyond its novelty value: his interests inclined always to the past..... Nicholas died in february 1855. The Royal collection in Windsor holds a daguerreotype of him on his deathbed which has deteriorated badly. Its provenance is unknown and it is a curious item to find in this particular collection for, at the time of the tsar's death, England and Russia were at war....."
You can read this in the introduction of "the camera and the tsars" from Charlotte Zeepvat: "the earliest surviving daguerreotypes of the imperial family taken from life, date from the end of the 1840s. The State Hermitage in St Petersburg owns two: one of Nicholas I and one of his eldest daughter, Grand Princess Maria Nikolaevna, taken by unknow photographers. There may have been other early photographs which have not survived...... But Nicholas may not have cared much for photography beyond its novelty value: his interests inclined always to the past..... Nicholas died in february 1855. The Royal collection in Windsor holds a daguerreotype of him on his deathbed which has deteriorated badly. Its provenance is unknown and it is a curious item to find in this particular collection for, at the time of the tsar's death, England and Russia were at war....."
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Tatiana Nicholaievna / Re: Tatiana in "Nicholas and Alexandra"
« on: May 01, 2006, 04:04:01 AM »
I said that the film is not interesting "for somebody who would like to have a real portrait of the 4 grand duchesses". I don't speak english fluently, sorry. So it may be confusing. I said that the grand duchesses were very bad-portrayed in this film. But I love the film, and I will certainly see it again.
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Tatiana Nicholaievna / Re: Tatiana in "Nicholas and Alexandra"
« on: April 30, 2006, 08:59:03 PM »
I love this film!!! I received it the next week and I saw it the last night.
I am not surprised that this film received two academy awards. The actors are terrific, particularly the one who plays Nicholas II. I could hardly retained my tears during the scene after the abdication. When Nicholas went back home, as a commoner, and that he finds Alexandra in her drawing room. Really sad. And the final act, when Alexei kisses his father before the slaughter.
But to tell the truth, I find the scene with tatiana really shocking. In this film, the girls are the only figures who have not been succeded. The have no similaries with the real grand duchesses. Their talks, their behaviours, their postures are completely differents. They haven't got physical similarities with the grand duchesses neither. I couldn't discern who was Olga, Tatiana, Maria. Only Anastasia could be recognized thanks to her behaviour. Maria isn't succeded at all. This film is not interesting for somebody who would like to have a real portrait of the 4 grand duchesses.
I am not surprised that this film received two academy awards. The actors are terrific, particularly the one who plays Nicholas II. I could hardly retained my tears during the scene after the abdication. When Nicholas went back home, as a commoner, and that he finds Alexandra in her drawing room. Really sad. And the final act, when Alexei kisses his father before the slaughter.
But to tell the truth, I find the scene with tatiana really shocking. In this film, the girls are the only figures who have not been succeded. The have no similaries with the real grand duchesses. Their talks, their behaviours, their postures are completely differents. They haven't got physical similarities with the grand duchesses neither. I couldn't discern who was Olga, Tatiana, Maria. Only Anastasia could be recognized thanks to her behaviour. Maria isn't succeded at all. This film is not interesting for somebody who would like to have a real portrait of the 4 grand duchesses.
5
Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: The Court of the Last Tsar: Pomp, Power,Pagean
« on: April 06, 2006, 07:13:11 PM »
I received the book a few days ago and I am really stunned about it. There are so much details and stories about the last tsar and his family!! All my congratulations to Greg King for this book. I have just begun to read it but it's already one of my favorites. I know that somebody expected more photos. But the book would have been very heavy and expensive, in my opinion.
I particularly love the chapter titled "below the stairs of the palace". G.king describes the way of life in th alexander palace, the household's members and their graduation in the palace, their jobs, the schedules of the emperor and empress and a lot of other very interesting details. There are other chapters dedicated to the imperial palaces also.
Thank you very much again, G.king, for this wonderful book!
I particularly love the chapter titled "below the stairs of the palace". G.king describes the way of life in th alexander palace, the household's members and their graduation in the palace, their jobs, the schedules of the emperor and empress and a lot of other very interesting details. There are other chapters dedicated to the imperial palaces also.
Thank you very much again, G.king, for this wonderful book!
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The Final Chapter / Re: Imprisonment, Last Days & Death of Romanovs in 1918
« on: November 27, 2005, 12:42:44 PM »
Considering the book of Greg K. and Penny W '"the fate of the Romanovs" it's said:
"When Nicholad II abdicated the Russian Throne on March 15, 1917, the 304-year-old Romanov Dynasty ended. On that cold winter day, 52 members of the imperial house were living in the empire. Over the following two years, 17 were murdered while 35 managed to escape the Revolution"
Is it 17 or 18?
"When Nicholad II abdicated the Russian Throne on March 15, 1917, the 304-year-old Romanov Dynasty ended. On that cold winter day, 52 members of the imperial house were living in the empire. Over the following two years, 17 were murdered while 35 managed to escape the Revolution"
Is it 17 or 18?
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Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / The Court of the Last Tsar: Pomp, Power,Pageantry
« on: November 24, 2005, 06:18:01 PM »
Hi
has someone heard about this book? Is it a new book?
I have found it by surprise on Amazon
here is the link
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471727636/qid%3D1132439606/171-3006170-1445857
has someone heard about this book? Is it a new book?
I have found it by surprise on Amazon
here is the link
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471727636/qid%3D1132439606/171-3006170-1445857
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The Habsburgs / Re: Archduchess Marie Valérie of Austria(-Tuscany)
« on: November 24, 2005, 05:44:45 PM »Quote
Dear leonora,
I don´t think Marie Valérie was hated as a toddler nor that she was that shy. She wasn´t liked by certain ladies-in-waiting because she was "the Hungarian child", but that´s all.
You are right, Marie Valerie had quite pro-German feelings, but this was something very common in Austria in the late 1800s untill the early 1900s. Sadly, she didn´t like either the Slavic nor the Hungarian part of her father´s monarchy as a grown-up; She moreover wanted a united Germany with Austria as a part of it. But I wouldn´t say that the Austrian court had anti-German feelings (maybe for some time after Königsgrätz, but this didn´t stay for long). Of course, Crown Prince Rudolf hated the Hohenzollern, but after his death there were not any of this feelings left. Moreover, Franz Joseph was delighted that he had an alliance with Wilhelm II.
Neither would I say that Marie Valerie lived in isolation in her castle. She didn´t like court life, but she loved doing charity work, visiting relatives etc.
Linnea
Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seems to me that there was a great antipathy between the austrian and the german courts since the disaster of 1862 (battle of Sadowa). After the defeat, Austria was forced to release its possessions in italia (venetia, lombardia,...). And above all, Austria lost also its influence over the germanic confederation. But the austrian court never forgot this defeat and kept anti-germanic feelings.
During the first world war, germany and Austria were fighting together, but it was only for political reasons. All the other countries of Europe had defiance and antipathy for Whilelm II , included Austria.
In the case of Marie-Valérie, I said that she lived in a real isolation because it seems that she didn't go to the court frequently. As I said She wanted her children to be raised far away from the court, and hersef seemed to have a sort of disgut.
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The Alexander Palace / Re: Alexandra Nicholaevna Memorial
« on: November 19, 2005, 04:15:13 PM »
Why did they call it "the memorial bench"?
Did Alexandra Nikolayevna sit on it?
Did Alexandra Nikolayevna sit on it?
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The Habsburgs / Re: Archduchess Marie Valérie of Austria(-Tuscany)
« on: November 13, 2005, 09:59:44 AM »
There are a few informations on Marie- VAlérie in the Brigitte Hamann's book.
Marie Valérie was very very shy.. She called this deep shyness "my génation" (sorry I can't traduce in english, but it means that this shyness was a big trouble for her).. When she was toddler, Her mother's ladies in honor didn't like her, because like all shy people, she seemed haughty and distant. She was said to be "strange". And the fact that she was the "kedvesem", the dear daughter of the hatred Sissi, didn't arrange things.
I find that Marie-valérie looked like her father very much. They had also identical conceptions. The difference was that Marie-Valérie was not really Habsburg by heart. Of course, she loved her country, her family and its high position, but she would dream of a huge German Community which would have included Habsburg ,Hollenzollern and all the german blood people. In this point of view, she was different of her family and of the court which had anti-germanic feelings.
After her mother's death, she seemed to have had very hard feelings for her family, except for her father of course(maybe a disgut of court life I don't know). At the beginning of the 20th century, She wrote in her diary that she wanted her children to grow up far away from this court and this family. She spend the rest of her life in a real isolation in her Wallee castle, leaving it only for the wedding of Charles I and Zita, or to close her father's eyes.
Marie Valérie was very very shy.. She called this deep shyness "my génation" (sorry I can't traduce in english, but it means that this shyness was a big trouble for her).. When she was toddler, Her mother's ladies in honor didn't like her, because like all shy people, she seemed haughty and distant. She was said to be "strange". And the fact that she was the "kedvesem", the dear daughter of the hatred Sissi, didn't arrange things.
I find that Marie-valérie looked like her father very much. They had also identical conceptions. The difference was that Marie-Valérie was not really Habsburg by heart. Of course, she loved her country, her family and its high position, but she would dream of a huge German Community which would have included Habsburg ,Hollenzollern and all the german blood people. In this point of view, she was different of her family and of the court which had anti-germanic feelings.
After her mother's death, she seemed to have had very hard feelings for her family, except for her father of course(maybe a disgut of court life I don't know). At the beginning of the 20th century, She wrote in her diary that she wanted her children to grow up far away from this court and this family. She spend the rest of her life in a real isolation in her Wallee castle, leaving it only for the wedding of Charles I and Zita, or to close her father's eyes.
11
Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: If You Were Casting a Romanov Movie - Which Actor Would You Choose?
« on: November 07, 2005, 07:13:26 PM »
It's funny.. I was thinking of Viggo Mortensen to play Nicholas II when I saw Ian Mc Kellen for the role.
Viggo is also good for the job, isn't he?
Viggo is also good for the job, isn't he?
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The Habsburgs / Re: Archduchess Marie Valérie of Austria(-Tuscany)
« on: November 06, 2005, 08:16:22 PM »
I like this thread because I am a great fan of the habsburg family, particularly of Sisi, Franz Joseph and their children
Marie-Valérie seems to have been very well-balanced, good and generous. People who speak German will find a lot of informations in this book "kaiserin Elisabeth und ihre töchter" (the empress Elisabeth and her daughters) from Martha SCHAD. There are a lot of photos and portraits as well as informations on the three Erzherzogins (Archduchesses Sophie, Gisele and Marie-Valérie), daugthers of Sisi and franz Joseph.
Marie-Valérie seems to have been very well-balanced, good and generous. People who speak German will find a lot of informations in this book "kaiserin Elisabeth und ihre töchter" (the empress Elisabeth and her daughters) from Martha SCHAD. There are a lot of photos and portraits as well as informations on the three Erzherzogins (Archduchesses Sophie, Gisele and Marie-Valérie), daugthers of Sisi and franz Joseph.
13
The Alexander Palace / Re: bedrooms
« on: November 05, 2005, 12:37:07 PM »
you will also find a few watercolors in this wonderful books "At home with the last tsar and his family".
here is a watercolor from the site alexanderpalace:
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/anastasia/maroom.html
here is a watercolor from the site alexanderpalace:
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/anastasia/maroom.html
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Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Alexandra Pavlovna
« on: August 23, 2005, 07:59:32 PM »
I have read these entries in the book "the grand duchesses"
Alexandra Pavlovna was the first daughter of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna. She received the usual education of russian princesses and was taught french and german as well as music and drawing. In 1796, she was engaged to the King of sweden. She was only 13 years old. But the negociations failed because of religious considerations (catherine II wanted Alexandra to keep orthodoxy even after her marriage). This disappointment was said to be responsible of the heart attack which killed Catherine II in November 1796.
In 1799, to cement the alliance between Prussia and Russia, GD alexandra pavlovna was married to Archduke Joseph, governor of Hungary and younger brother of the emperor FRanz II.
A year and a half later, Alexandre died of a purpereal fever after giving birth to a daughter who died on the day of her birth. Alexandre was only 17. She was buried in Hungary.
A macabre poscript to Alexandra's short life was to occur half a century after her death. Revolution broke out in Hungary in 1848. The priest in charge of the chapel containing alexandra's tomb broke into the tomb and removed jewels from Alexandra's corpse. The priest was arrested and sent to siberia.
I have noticed that the name "Alexandra" is a curse in the romanov family. So many alexandra died in their youngfuls.
Alexandra Pavlovna was the first daughter of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna. She received the usual education of russian princesses and was taught french and german as well as music and drawing. In 1796, she was engaged to the King of sweden. She was only 13 years old. But the negociations failed because of religious considerations (catherine II wanted Alexandra to keep orthodoxy even after her marriage). This disappointment was said to be responsible of the heart attack which killed Catherine II in November 1796.
In 1799, to cement the alliance between Prussia and Russia, GD alexandra pavlovna was married to Archduke Joseph, governor of Hungary and younger brother of the emperor FRanz II.
A year and a half later, Alexandre died of a purpereal fever after giving birth to a daughter who died on the day of her birth. Alexandre was only 17. She was buried in Hungary.
A macabre poscript to Alexandra's short life was to occur half a century after her death. Revolution broke out in Hungary in 1848. The priest in charge of the chapel containing alexandra's tomb broke into the tomb and removed jewels from Alexandra's corpse. The priest was arrested and sent to siberia.
I have noticed that the name "Alexandra" is a curse in the romanov family. So many alexandra died in their youngfuls.
15
Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Emperor Alexander I
« on: August 21, 2005, 12:51:10 PM »Quote
Alexander was definitely known for his sex life. His romantic partners included, among others, Queen Louise of Prussia and Josephine DeBeauharnais, the ex-wife of Napoleon. He was also involved with Josephine's daughter.
Hmmm, We haven't read the same things, apparently
For my part, I ever read that Alexander I was not particularly "hot" for sexual relations. He liked to attract women. But in fact he was never fond of sexual relations. The case of Queen Louise (queen of prussia) is a good example.there was a big attraction between Alexander I and Louise of Prussia. But their love affair was never more than a simple flirt. it seems that the emperor used to lock the door of his bedroom when he was in official visits in Pussia, because he was afraid the queen (or any other young woman) to slip into his bed. This was the same things for most of the women that Alexander I met in his life.