Emperor Alexander I of Russia. Russia, 19th century

Standing figure of Emperor Alexander I of Russia (1777–1825). Russia, first quarter of the 19th century.
Bronze.
Measurements: 21 x 19 x 14 cm.

Bronze figure depicting Emperor Alexander I of Russia (1777–1825), one of the major figures in early 19th-century European history. The sovereign is depicted full-length, dressed in a military uniform and decorations, in an elegant pose that combines solemnity, confidence, and authority. Noteworthy is the meticulous craftsmanship of the attire, evident in the double-breasted jacket, the high collar, the cuffs, and the insignia, as well as the refined modeling of the face. Created in Russia during the first quarter of the 19th century, the work reflects the neoclassical and imperial style that dominated the court arts of the period and found in antiquity a powerful model for the glorification of the sovereign. Its appeal is enhanced by the historical significance of the figure: Alexander I played a pivotal role in the Napoleonic Wars and in Napoleon’s defeat, becoming one of the defining figures of the new European political order after 1815.