Portrait of Princess Alexandra Menshikova
1725–1727
- oil on canvas. 77,3 х 60,6
Received after 1945 as part of the collection of the Gatchina Palace Provenance: collection of Prince Nikolai Gagarin- State Museum «PAVLOVSK»
For many years both portraits were counted as works of Johann Gottfried Tannauer. Subsequently, a new rightful version was developed, stating that both works are actually copies of the non-extant Tannauer paintings that were created by Johann Heinrich Wedekind. Considering the fact that no Orders of St. Catehrine received by both princesses in June of 1727 are included in the portraits, one can assume that Wedekind painted the portraits of the Menshikov sisters in 1725–1727. The portraits originate from the collection of Prince Nikolai Gagarin (1859–1918). The Menshikov and the Gagarin families were related.
Alexandra Menshikova (December 17, 1712 – September 13, 1736) Youngest daughter of His Highness the Prince Alexander Menshikov and his wife Daria Mikhailovna. In 1728 she was banished to Beryozov together with her father, but in 1731 she was returned from exile and became lady-in-waiting of Empress Anna Ioanovna. In 1732 she married Adjutant General Gustav von Biron, younger brother of the Empress’s favourite.