Count Alexey Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin was a Russian diplomat and chancellor. He was one of the most influential and successful diplomats in 18th-century Europe. As the chancellor of the Russian Empire was chiefly responsible for Russian foreign policy during the reign of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna.
Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin
Portrait by Louis Tocqué
Bestuzhev's silver snuffbox with impressions of portrait medallions minted to his order.
Elizabeth or Elizaveta Petrovna reigned as Empress of Russia from 1741 until her death in 1762. She remains one of the most popular Russian monarchs because of her decision not to execute a single person during her reign, her numerous construction projects, and her strong opposition to Prussian policies.
Portrait by Vigilius Eriksen, 1757
The ceremonial attire of Elizabeth, Catherine Palace, Tsarskoye Selo; fot. Ivonna Nowicka
Young Elizabeth in the 1720s, painted by Ivan Nikitich Nikitin.
Peter II and Princess Elizabeth Petrovna Riding to Hound by Valentin Serov