Róka Enikő szerk.: Zichy Mihály, a „rajzoló fejedelem” (A Magyar Nemzeti Galéria kiadványai 2007/4)

II. Sándor vadászjelenetes kártyái GALINA A. PRINCEVA

The devoted friend of Alexander II, Alexander Arkadevich Suvorov, the grandson of the famous general, was a keen hunter as well. Zichy made a drawing of him for this packet of cards on an occasion when he is raising his hat with an extraordinary presence of mind to hit the bear emerging from among the trees as well as calling over to the animal 'Where to!' (six of clubs). Fyodor Ivanovich Paskevich, the Duke of Warsaw and Count of Yerevan, the son of the just as well famous general, also appears in a couple of funny pictures. One of them shows a little boy who is quoted as saying in surprise at the sight of the fat general: 'What a fat gentleman!' (three of diamonds). In any case, the participants are always identifiable, viewers know who is standing in his hide and taking aim with a gun, stumbling in the snow, clearing the bushes, or enjoying the sight of the trophies. The last item of this packet of cards is one of the most expressive miniatures showing Zichy himself as he is making an elegant bow and is throwing the packet of cards before us while the cards are falling on the Album of Hunting (king of hearts, fig. 177.). Indeed, the cards were included in the album of hunting of Alexander II and were not to be seen for a long time. However, the artist wanted to have this packet of cards published. Although water colours were not copied at the time, Zichy had a good reason to hope for it, because playing cards was extremely popular in the court, especially at the time of hunting. The cards painted by Zichy tend to combine ease with well designed compositions thereby displaying the artist's extraordinary talent for drawing. As regards their artistic value, this packet of cards is unique of its kind as well as being interesting from a cultural history point of view for showing court hunting which is thought to be of special importance in the history of Russia.