The Last Days of the Romanov: Mementos from Pierre Gilliard

One of the most intense moments of world history is the fall of Tsarist Russia. Up to now, it's one of the most discussed, with the on-going debate of whether Anastasia died or not. Swiss writer and academician Pierre Gilliard captured what would inevitably be their last days.

Gilliard was a tutor to the imperial children, forming a special bond with them for a span of 13 years. His intimate and endearing relationship with the children would be due to the fact he allowed them to spend days carefree, playtime was something that also came so often. He began photographing the family around 1911, he captured official occasions, domestic scenes, private vacations of Nicholas II and Alexandra, and children during playtime -- Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei.

This all lasted until the communist army forced Tsar Nicholas II to step down the throne on March 8, 1917. It's been 100 years since the demise of Russia's monarchic government. The renowned family continues to appeal to people up to this day.

Catch the on-going show The Last Days of the Romanov for a haunting past of Russian history at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag in Hague.

The show will run though June 11.

Images are from the press kit.

2017-04-19 #news #documentary-photography #photography-history #pierre-gilliard #romanovs