Artwork
Framed Miniature of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna
Framed Miniature of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna is an unspecified painting by Peter Carl Fabergé. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This is a small gold frame shaped like a crown. Inside the frame is a painted portrait of a woman in a white dress and pearl necklace. The frame is decorated with tiny flowers, leaves, and jewels.
The woman’s face looks calm, and her hair is pulled back neatly. The frame stands on three gold legs, like a tiny table.
Next, look up Peter Carl Fabergé (Russian, 1846–1920) to see more of his work.
Overview
The Framed Miniature of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna is a small painted portrait set within an ornate gold frame that resembles a crown. The work is attributed to the Russian jeweler and designer Peter Carl Fabergé and is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The miniature depicts the former Russian empress Alexandra Feodorovna, shown in a white dress with a pearl necklace. Her expression is composed, and her hair is styled in a neat updo, conveying the dignified bearing associated with her imperial status.
Technique & Style
The piece combines miniature painting with Fabergé’s signature metalwork. The gold frame is embellished with tiny floral motifs, leaves, and gemstones, and rests on three slender gold legs that function as a miniature table, integrating both decorative and functional elements.
History & Provenance
Although the exact date of execution is uncertain, the work is linked to Fabergé’s late 19th‑early 20th‑century output. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European decorative arts collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Carl Gustavovich Fabergé was a Russian goldsmith and jeweller. He is best known for creating Fabergé eggs made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane…
