The exhibition tells the story of the familial, political, diplomatic and artistic associations between Britain and Russia and their royal families from the late 17th century through to Russia’s last emperor Nicholas II and beyond.
The unique relationship between the two countries is explored through portraits, sculpture, photographs and archival documents.
Many of the works of art were commissioned as diplomatic gifts, others as intimate personal mementos, including miniature masterpieces by Fabergé.
The earliest links between Great Britain and Russia were formed in the mid-sixteenth century through trade.
These links developed into political and military alliances, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–15).
In the nineteenth century, dynastic marriage and family ties dominated relations between the two countries.
Works of art of all kinds – from grand diplomatic gifts to intimate, and personal, mementos – have richly documented the relationship.
Beginning with the visit of Peter the Great in 1698, the first Russian ruler to set foot on English soil, they mark significant moments of contact between Great Britain and Russia.
These works of art are exhibited together for the first time and tell the story of the complex interconnection between two great countries and their rulers over more than three hundred years.
At the Queen’s Gallery, Edinburgh until 3 November
