Carousel in Tsarskoye Selo
After 1842
- Cardboard, oil. 25,2 x 51
- Ж-4879
Received in the 1930s from the State Academy of the History of Material Culture (Marble Palace), Leningrad Provenance: private collection of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo
- Period Early 19th century
- History Painting
- Share
The painting shows the Tsarskoye Selo Carousel, which took place on 23 May 1842 to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna, née Frederica Louise Charlotte Wilhelmina of Prussia. At 7 p.m., there was a knightly procession on the grounds of the Arsenal, consisting of 16 gentlemen and 16 ladies. Practically the entire family of emperor took part in the knightly cavalcade. All of the participants in the presentation (names listed on a board attached to the frame) were dressed in the authentic armor of the Tsarskoye Selo Arsenal. Accompanied by trumpeters and musicians of the Life Guards Cuirassier Regiment, the picturesque procession passed through the park and stopped at the Alexander Palace. This is where the carousel was held, a kind of horse race that replaced knightly contests. The knights moved around the circle in a full gallop and carried out a series of exercises.