YAKOV PANFILOVICH SERYAKOV (1818–1869) Emperor Alexander II, 1856

signed in Cyrillic and dated ‘Y. Syryakov 26.08.1856’ 9 x 7 cm Framed: 15.6 x 13 cm The portrait of Emperor Alexander II was created to commemorate his coronation, held at the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow on 26 August 1856. He had ascended the throne in 1855 during the height of the Crimean War, and the ceremony took place a year and a half later, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris.