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SEUTTER, George Matthäus.
Spatiosissimum Imperium Russiæ Magnæ... Augsburg, c.1738, original and later colour, 495 x 565mm.
A detailed map of the Russian Empire, with an elaborate title cartouche surmounted by the portraits of the Empress Anna Ivanovna, who reigned from 1730-1740, and Anton Ulrich and Anna of Brunswick, and flanked with representatives of the subjects of the Empire paying homage and offering gifts.Anna of Brunswick (also known as Anna Leopoldovna) has an interesting history, in 1739 she married Anton Ulrich (1714 - 1776), son of Ferdinand Albert, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. On 5 October 1740 the Empress Anna adopted their new-born son Ivan and proclaimed him heir to the Russian throne. A few days after this proclamation the empress died (28 October 1740), leaving directions regarding the succession, and appointing her favourite Ernest Biren, Duke of Courland, as regent. Biren, however, had made himself an object of detestation to the Russian people, and Anna Leopoldovna had little difficulty in overthrowing him (8 November 1740). She then assumed the Regency, and took the title of Grand-Duchess. |
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