S. M. La Tsarine Aleksandra Fedorovna Circa 1890

This exquisite lithographic portrait depicts Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, consort of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Rendered in finely detailed monochrome, this original poster was commissioned by the renowned French department store Le Bon Marché as a commemorative tribute to the Russian empress—an exceptional symbol of imperial elegance, international diplomacy, and Franco-Russian cultural exchange in the late 19th century.

The Empress is portrayed with striking poise and regal serenity. Her attire is unmistakably that of a Romanov sovereign: adorned with an opulent kokoshnik tiara, a bejeweled sash, and layers of pearls cascading across her shoulders and bodice. The imperial double-headed eagle, emblazoned below her portrait, reinforces her dynastic authority and situates this image within a broader iconography of Russian power and tradition.

This lithograph likely dates from the mid-to-late 1890s, around the time of Alexandra’s marriage to Nicholas II in 1894. Born Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine, she was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and became a central—if controversial—figure in Russian history, particularly due to her relationship with Rasputin and her tragic fate during the Russian Revolution.

Printed in Paris by Les Magasins du Bon Marché, this poster was likely a gift item or promotional piece, intended not for advertising goods, but as a gesture of esteem toward a noble clientele. Le Bon Marché, considered one of the first modern department stores in the world, frequently produced elegant portraits of royalty and high society to cultivate its association with international prestige.

Beyond its royal subject, the artwork stands as a testament to the refinement of late 19th-century lithography, blending photographic realism with idealized portraiture. The soft vignette and tonal gradation create an almost ethereal presence, presenting the Tsarina less as a political figure than as a paragon of aristocratic femininity.

Today, this poster is a rare historical artifact—bridging art, commerce, and monarchy—and offering a poignant glimpse into a gilded world soon to be swept away by revolution and modernity.

Russia - Royalty - 14-18

Offered by cheap stores in Paris

Printed by B. Arnaud Lyon-Paris

Bon état, larmes restaurées