Tsarina Gallery

Tsar Nicholas II at the opening ceremony of the first Duma, St Petersburg, Russia, 1906

Tsar Nicholas II at the opening ceremony of the first Duma, St Petersburg, Russia, 1906. The Duma, the elected legislative assembly of the Russian Empire, was established as a result of the Russian Revolution of 1905. Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918), who opened the Duma, was determined to retain his autocratic power over the government of Russia however. Shortly before the Duma opened, he passed the Fundamental Laws, which stated that the Tsar's ministers could not be appointed by and were not responsible to the Duma. Increasing tension between the Duma's members and Nicholas's ministers led to the assembly being dissolved within ten weeks of its opening. Found in the collection of the State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia, Moscow

© Fine Art Images

Russian and Romanian Royalty

The Russian and Romanian royal families, pictured during the former's visit to Constanza, on the Romanian coast. From left, going around the back: Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, Carol I, King of Romania, Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, Princess Marie of Romania, Prince Carol of Romania, Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania, Queen Elizabeth of Romania, Czar Nicholas II, Grand Duchess Tatiana of Russia with the baby Prince Mircia of Romania. Seated in the centre are the Czarina of Russia, Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, Princess Ileana of Romania, Crown Princess of Romania. Sitting at the front are the Czarevitch Alexei of Russia and Prince Nicholas of Romania Date: 1914

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Legend of the true cross: Saint Helene (248-328), the mother of the Roman Emperor

LRI4612636 Legend of the true cross: Saint Helene (248-328), the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I (272-337) discovers the Holy Cross in Palestine Fresco by Agnolo Gaddi (circa 1350-1396). 14th century Church of Santa Croce, Florence. by Gaddi, Agnolo (c.1350-96); Santa Croce, Florence, Italy; (add.info.: Legend of the true cross: Saint Helene (248-328), the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I (272-337) discovers the Holy Cross in Palestine Fresco by Agnolo Gaddi (circa 1350-1396). 14th century Church of Santa Croce, Florence.); Luisa Ricciarini; Italian, out of copyright

© Luisa Ricciarini / Bridgeman Images