Tsar Nicholas II

A Woodburytype portrait of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (1868-1918, reigned 1894-1917), showing him when he was still Tsarevitch, shortly before his succession to the throne.

Nicholas was dominated by his wife, Alix of Hesse, who was herself under the influence of Rasputin. His mismanagement of the Russo-Japanese War and of internal affairs led to the revolution of 1905, which he suppressed, although he was compelled to grant limited constitutional reforms. In 1917 he was forced to abdicate, and was shot with his family by the Bolsheviks in July 1918.

Photographed by William and Daniel Downey of Newcastle and London, and published as a Woodburytype as part of the 5th series of The Cabinet Portrait Gallery in 1894.