Portrait of G.E. Rasputin, 1914
by Elena Nikandrovna Klokacheva

Signed and dated bottom right: О. Клокачева, иЮны 1914
Coloured pencil, pastel on grey card, 81.5 x 56 cm

This is an extremely rare portrait of Rasputin, whose face is known principally from photographs. Rasputin, a "staryetz" (monk or spiritual advisor) had an extraordinary influence over Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, her daughters, and even Nicholas II himself, for the simple reason that he seemed able to relieve the suffering of the Tsarevich, Alexei Nicholaievich.