In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Russia’s northern capital ALROSA Co. Ltd. presents the City of St. Petersburg with an artistic masterpiece - the ceremonial portrait of the last Russian emperor by Ilya Repin.

The Portrait of His Majesty Emperor Nicolas II(canvas, oil, 297cmx177cm) by the famous Russian artist which was long thought to be irretrievably lost was handed over by Vladimir Kalitin, president of ALROSA, to Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the StateHermitageMuseum, in the Hermitage Theater on 2d June.

The monumental painting by Ilya Repin will occupy a worthy place in the exposition of the biggest art gallery in the world.

V. Savchenko, deputy property manager of The President’s Business Administration Directorate, took part in the ceremony of the handing.

Said Mr. Piotrovsky, ‘I want to express thanks to this company and my respect to company management. It is the best choice of a present to the city. It is not only a Repin masterpiece, it is also a portrait of the last Russian emperor whose fate was very dramatic. This gift is a good example of the maturity of the Russian business and the responsibility of the business community in Russia’.

In his speech ALROSA President Mr. Kalitin said, ‘We are happy to have an opportunity to make a modest contribution into the conservation of Russia’s cultural and historical heritage. Our company deals with eternal values - in fact, millions of years of the Earth’s geological history are incarnated in diamonds. Probably that is what makes their glitter attractive. The same is true about works of art - every year their aesthetic significance increases immeasurably. Let this picture make fill the hearts of all connoisseurs of Russian history and art with delight.

The history of this picture is as follows. In winter 1895 Ilya Repin received an order from the ImperialCourtMinistryto paint a ceremonial portrait of Emperor Nicolas II for Council of State Session Chamber. This work was done with brilliance. Until 1917 the portrait hung in the Round Chamber in MariinskyPalace(St. Petersburg) among portraits of other Russian sovereigns – Catherine the Great, Alexander I, Nikolas I, Alexander II and Alexander III.

The destiny of this painting is sometimes tragic, but nevertheless interesting. The ceremonial portrait of the last Russian emperor decorated with a beautifully carved wooden frame hang in MariinskyPalacefor more than twenty years. Connoisseurs of art know that the richly framed portrait in all its splendour can be seen on another Repin’s grandiose masterpiece – State Council Session, which was done in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of this deliberative body. Nicolas II is painted presiding over the meeting against the background of his own portrait.

In the days of revolution cataclysms in 1917 it was taken out of its frame, cut out off the stretcher and seemed to be irretrievably lost. But later it was found out that the portrait hadn’t been lost but secretly kept in a private collection as there exhisted a secret instruction by the authorities to get rid of all portraits of the last emperor and members of the royal family.

For decades the canvas changed hands, was found in a rubbish heap, was exchanged for an apartment in the historical center of St. Petersburg, was kept on the floor under the carpet… At last in 1995 the portrait was passed for expert examination and further sale to Alfa-Art Auction House.

The examination of the Imperial portrait hypothetically painted by Repin was made at the request of the auction house at the Tretyakov State Gallery. The examination confirmed the authorship. It was determined that ‘the portrait is one of important works by Ilya Repin having a considerable artistic, historical and cultural value.

In 2002 taking into account the authenticity of the painting and the fact that it is a part of Russian national cultural heritage the portrait by Ilya Repin was bought by ALROSA for the purpose of giving it to the City of St. Petersburgin commemoration of the 300th anniversary.