The “Family Tree of Russian Princes, Tsars, Emperors and Empresses” engraving shows the family tree of Russian rulers from Rurik to the Romanovs. The iconography of the “Tree” originated and flourished under the tsars of the Romanov dynasty. Such images were circulated because the family needed to officially confirm the legitimacy of its power. The last emperor depicted on the engraving is Alexander I — most likely, the impression was printed during his reign.

Copper plate engraving is considered a classic. To create such an image, a pattern is applied to a copper plate with a special graver. Then the paint is stuffed into the recesses, excess paint is removed from the surface, and a sheet of paper is pressed against a copper plate under strong pressure. This is how the final drawing is obtained, which can then be colored.

The engraving from the museum’s collection was most likely created in memory of the arrival of Alexander I in Kargopol. This event was very important for the residents of the entire region. The emperor’s route to Arkhangelsk ran through Novaya Ladoga, Vytegra, Kargopol, Kholmogory and back. There were ten carriages in the imperial procession, six animals were harnessed to each carriage. Especially for the monarch, horses and all the necessary equipment were prepared at all postal stations.


Arriving in Kargopol, the ruler stayed at the house of merchant Andrey Veshnyakov. During the conversation, the emperor asked him about Kargopol society, capital and economy. To the sovereign’s question about the industry, Veshnyakov answered,

Continuing his journey, Alexander I visited the Savior Transfiguration Monastery for men. Returning from the monastery, the sovereign did not go into the merchant’s house: he told the owners who came out to meet him that on the way back from Arkhangelsk he would stay with them again. The Emperor kept his promise and later rested at Andrey Veshnyakov’s house. For the second time, the guest drank tea with the hosts and asked them about the climate, local gifts of nature and trips to fairs. Then he presented the family with gifts and left for St. Petersburg.