YUSUPOV (Prince Feliks Feliksovich, 1887-1967, Organized murder of Rasputin)

Original coloured drawing of his wife Princess IRENA (1895-1970, Princess of Russia, married to Felix Yusupov, murderer of Rasputin) signed with his monogram, showing her head and shoulders in profile, with her hair decorated with ribbons and a flower, 5½" x 4", no place, no date, cirac

Irena was one of the great beauties of her age, cousin to the tsar's children and only niece of the tsar. Her husband Yusupov (Youssoupoff), a fervent monarchist, married her in 1914 with the backing of the Dowager Empress but the disapproval of the Tsar and Empress. Rasputin was invited to a supper at Yusupov's palace on 15th December 1916, thinking that Irena would be there, but she was in the Crimea. He was shot dead, after a strong dose of potassium cyanide in his wine had failed to kill him.
Felix loved drawing and drew his wife at the time of their engagement. This came from a Royal collection

Item Date:  1913

Stock No:  40307