Maria photos III

[Ally Kumari]

Maria, Olga and Anastasia with NIcholas and their cousin George

[Kalafrana]

I wonder when this was taken. George was a full Lieutenant, so no earlier than 1913.  His ship, HMS New Zealand was one of a battlecruiser squadron which visited Russia in July 1914, so it may have been taken then, which would fit with his being in uniform.

Ann

[edubs31]

I wonder when this was taken. George was a full Lieutenant, so no earlier than 1913.  His ship, HMS New Zealand was one of a battlecruiser squadron which visited Russia in July 1914, so it may have been taken then, which would fit with his being in uniform.

Ann

That makes sense. The New Zealand wasn't even launched until shortly before the war, yes? Marie's hair is up, which she was allowed to do as a 15-year old unconventionally. The Imp doesn't look older than 13, maybe 14 tops, but certainly no younger than 12 here. 1914 or '15 I'd have to wager.

Cute photo by the way! Nice little space they picked out in that small clearing in front of the tree and water.

[Kalafrana]

Not 1915, as George did not go anywhere near Russia after the war began.

Ann

[edubs31]

Not 1915, as George did not go anywhere near Russia after the war began.

Ann

Had to be July, 1914 then. Chilling, in a way, whenever I see photos like this. Happy family members on the verge of being consumed by a war that many would not survive. The end of sort of innocence (blissful ignorance?) I guess you could say.

[blessOTMA]

Perhaps taken the same day as the better known photo of George, Olga and Marie...where Olga is sitting

[Aliss_Kande]

Sigh... why is it always Maria´s picture that are unclear, smudged, damaged or missing?

Because she's the middle child...lol, just kidding

[Kalafrana]

We might note that George Battenberg also died prematurely, if less dramatically - from bone cancer, aged 46.

Ann

[Sanochka]

Maria, Olga and Anastasia with NIcholas and their cousin George

Look at the dresses Maria and Anastasia are wearing.  How often have we seen them clad in these?  They must have been favorites.

[Justine]

It seems to me Olga is wearing the same dress. Tatiana also had one. I would love to see a picture of them all in those dresses...

[Sarushka]

It seems to me Olga is wearing the same dress. Tatiana also had one. I would love to see a picture of them all in those dresses...

[blessOTMA]

We might note that George Battenberg also died prematurely, if less dramatically - from bone cancer, aged 46.

Ann

Indeed and I remember his mother said that was the worse thing that happened to her...considering all the sad things that  happened, that's quite a statement...but one a mother would make

[Sanochka]

Maria, Olga and Anastasia with NIcholas and their cousin George

Look at the dresses Maria and Anastasia are wearing.  How often have we seen them clad in these?  They must have been favorites.

Look at the background, too.  Isn't there a series of photos taken of Nicholas and Alexei taken to the right, with Alexei posing on the old cannon in some,  and in the crotch of the spreading tree in others?

[clockworkgirl21]

Yep, that's Peterhof. Quite a few photos were taken at that tree and by that cannon.

[Rodney_G.]

Marie and Anastasia's dresses in these have something of a kimono look, a fashion and cultural trend of oriental style, especially Japanese,  popular in that era in many parts of the world, especially France. But aparently inRussian high society as well, inspite of the not-so-distant war between the two countries.
It look s great on both , maybe more so on Marie, but with a feminizing effect on Anastasia too,as young as she was.