Friday, February 11, 2011

Sporcle Quizzes & Dagmar of Denmark

I've recently become addicted to Sporcle: http://www.sporcle.com/  It promotes itself as "mentally stimulating diversions" and I can say that is very true. They have a good range of History quizzes, some user created. I've decided to dip my toes in the water and made image quiz of fairly well-known historical women. Some are easier to recognize then others, but I think it is a good quiz: http://www.sporcle.com/games/Kiki19/historicalwomen
Also, try your hand at Tudor Mottos:
http://www.sporcle.com/games/Kiki19/tudormottos
Enjoy =)

Here are two images of Dagmar of Denmark, later known as Maria Feodorovna, the wife of Czar Alexander III, that I find exceptionally beautiful:

Dagmar as Empress of Russia by Vladmir Makovsky at Gatchina Palace circa early 20th Century
Dagmar's dress is beyond stunning, the violet and silver compliment her pale complexion and dark features.


Dagmar with her son, the future Czar, Nicholas II, 1870
I love this picture because of the relaxed setting. Many royal photographs from the 19th century are very strict and formal (look at any photo Queen Victoria), but here we have a mother bouncing her son on her back; you wouldn't know they were Russian royalty unless you had already seen the picture before.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Last of the Romanovs: Alexandra of Hesse

For almost a century Czar Nicholas II and his family has intrigued historians and history enthusiasts' alike. Whether it be Nicky & Alix's real love or their children who never grew up, or perhaps just the tragedy of them all and their fates; the Last Romanovs are easily a part of history that everyone has knowledge of and has a opinion on.
The Last Romanovs: (Front) Olga, Nicholas II, Anastasia, Alexei, Tatiana
(Back) Maria, Alexandra

A happy Nicky & Alix in June 1908

Alix of Hesse, later Alexandra Feodorovna, was a quiet, shy woman with strong moral convictions. Her husband and children were the most important part of her life. Everything she did, whether good or bad, was for her family's benefit. But at the same time her motivation to everything possible for good would lead to bad influences and shakey friendships that would ultimately cause harm.
Empress Alexandra in 1907 by Nikolai Kornilievich Bodarevsky