Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna Romanoff

This portrait is a special favorite of some of the family members!   It has been greatly admired by us for several years. The opportunity to view it in person in The Russian State Museum of History on Red Square was a fortunate turn of events in our visit to Russia in 2006.

The colors are so vibrant and the loveliness of the Grand Duchess Romanoff is stunning. 

This portrait is featured in the Russian book: 'Ladies in Waiting (Gentlewomen) and Ladies in Waiting of the 18th-early 20th Century.'  The family purchased the book while in Russia.  In the description of the portrait, it is noted that the Grand Duchess is dressed in a Maritime themed dress because she was assigned to be associated with the Sea Crew as part of her Royal duties.

'The Russian Connection at Christmas Time'

A  lengthy magazine article was written in the Jo Lee magazine in the December, 2002 issue and featured the niece of the Grand Duchess, Olga Nicholaievna, describing her life and that of her aunt.  The cover of the magazine features this painting by Stember and is referenced as follows:

Q: “Did the Russian State Museum of History on Red Square, not lend a painting of the Grand Duchess to the exhibit ?”(an exhibit in Moscow of the Grand Duchess’ watercolor painting (she painted over 2,000 in her lifetime)

A: “ Yes, we had a meeting with the director who took us on a tour of the Museum-room after room and all of a sudden-hanging before us, was this amazing oil painting by Stemberg (Stember), a pre-revolution artist who had done the portrait of the Grand Duchess in 1908.  She would have been 26 at the time…dressed in riding clothes, suggesting she was ready for the hunt. A real beauty!”