Portrait of Ivan V and Peter the Great - Nicolas de Larmessin (I)

A detailed 1685 engraving by Nicolas de Larmessin (I) depicting the joint Tsars Ivan V and Peter the Great in traditional Russian royal attire.

This engraving by Nicolas de Larmessin (I) depicts the joint Tsars of Russia, Ivan V and Peter the Great, as they appeared in 1685. The composition presents the two brothers within an oval frame, adorned with a ribbon motif at the top and a coat of arms at the base. The figures are dressed in traditional Russian royal attire, featuring fur-lined garments and caps, reflecting the cultural identity of the Muscovite court during the late seventeenth century.

Larmessin employs precise line work to define the facial features and the textures of the fur and fabric. The engraving technique allows for subtle gradations of tone, providing a sense of volume to the figures despite the flat, decorative nature of the surrounding frame. The inclusion of extensive French text beneath the portrait provides historical context, detailing the lineage and political status of the two monarchs. This type of print was common in the period, serving as a means to disseminate the likenesses of foreign rulers to a European audience.

The work is characteristic of the printmaking traditions in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV, where such portraits were produced for collectors and historical records. The balance between the formal portrait and the descriptive text creates a document that functions as both a visual record and a narrative account. The attention to detail in the clothing and the heraldic elements demonstrates the technical proficiency of Larmessin, who was a member of a prominent family of engravers. This print offers a glimpse into the perception of Russian royalty in Western Europe, capturing a specific moment in the history of the Romanov dynasty before the extensive reforms of Peter the Great transformed the Russian state.