Russia, Moscow, 1916
Size: 8.9 × 7 cm (3 ½ × 2 13/16 in)
Provenance: Imperial Romanov Family
A historically significant and artistically exceptional miniature icon of Saint Olga, painted after the celebrated fresco by Viktor Vasnetsov in the St. Vladimir Cathedral, Kiev. The icon is rendered on a wooden panel and set within a distinctive silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel frame, designed in the rare Russian Modern style of the 1910s.
The icon was presented in 1916 as a marriage gift from Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna to her sister, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, youngest daughter of Emperor Alexander III and sister of Emperor Nicholas II. The icon bears a scratched dedication and date: Ksenia 1916.
The icon is marked with workmaster’s initials ‘KK’ for Kuzma Konov, a reknown master of enamel icon frames. Only three other icons by Konov with identical frames are known and are currently housed in the Museum of the History of Religion in St. Petersburg. No other examples of this unique frame type have appeared on the market.
The composition follows Vasnetsov’s romantic nationalist vision, portraying Saint Olga, the first Christian ruler of Kievan Rus, canonized as Equal-to-the-Apostles, in serene authority, symbolizing the Christianization of Russia.
The icon’s provenance is exceptional:
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Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna (presenter)
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Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (recipient)
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Guri Kulikovsky-Romanov (son of Olga)
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Asanta Tamara Kulikovsky-Romanov (“Asa,” wife of Guri)
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The Byington Collection, Canada
A photograph from Grand Duchess Olga’s private archive, dated 21 August 1917, shows the icon clearly displayed on the wall of the Ai-Todor estate in Crimea, the residence of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Ksenia’s husband), on the day of her son Tihon’s christening. An inscription in pencil reads: Tihon. In the day of Christening. 21 August 1917.
This icon is not only a rare example of Russian Art Nouveau religious art but also an artifact of deep personal and historical significance from the twilight of the Russian Empire.
Saint Olga, also called Olga the Beauty, was the first Rus ruler to convert to Christianity, either in 945 or in 957. She ruled Kievan Rus between 945 and c.963.
Photograph from the private archive of Grand Duchess Olga, dated 21 August, 1917. Olga and her husband with their newborn son Tihon. The photograph is taken at the Ai-Todor, estate of Grand Duke Alexander Michailovich (husband of Ksenia) in Crimea.
The icon of Saint Olga is identifiable on the wall thanks to its highly unusual frame design.
Inscription in pencil reads: Tihon. In the day of Christening. 21 August 1917.
To learn more about the life of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna see LAST GRAND DUCHESS by Ian Vorres.
The book was also published in Russian under the title OLGA ALEXANDROVNA MEMOIRS, Moscow, 2004.
Wedding photograph of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (sister of Czar Nicholas II) and Colonel Nicholas Kulikovsky, November 1916, city of Kiev.
