Somehow, in all my years of poring over Romanov photos, I've failed to notice the person-sized shadow behind Anastasia in this 1913 group shot:
Although this post is desperately old, can some give me more information about this photo, or please direct me to a thread that gives more information? It always intrigued me as the clothing (especially the ladies) is not what I am used to seeing them wear. My guess is about 1913 or '14, but what is interesting is the dark clothing. I am used to seeing the Romanov ladies always in light colored clothing (except mourning of course). Any info of date, location, occasion would be greatly appreciated.
It looks to me as though the original photo was retouched to remove someone and create this well-known portrait of the imperial family. Any clues who that might have been standing behind Anastasia originally? I've never seen another version of that picture before....
I believe that the photo was taken in Yalta in 1913. There doesn't appear to be anybody standing behind Anastasia. Here is another version of the photo:
From the book:
The Last Russian Empress
The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna Empress of Russia
by Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden
Excerpt: "In the autumn of 1913 the Imperial Family went to Livadia. The old Palace had been pulled down and a beautiful new one had been built on its site. This was in the Italian style, and the Empress had taken the keenest interest in planning it, remembering and reproducing many things that she had seen in Italy, the cloisters of San Marco in Florence being used as a model for the central courtyard, where all assembled after lunch. There were many beautiful antiques in the reception rooms, and ancient Greek marbles, found in excavations in the Crimea, in the gardens. The Empress was specially interested in the gardens, and spent hours driving about in her pony carriage, planning improvements. The scenery was lovely. Livadia was situated half-way up a mountain, with the majestic Ai-Petri as a background, and the rocky beach below."
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/alexandra/XVIII.htmlKatya
