blessOTMA's video: The Romanovs Maria Nikolaevna

I have been working on my lastest Romanov painting for 2 1/2 months. It's of Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova. One can hardly be involved in a such project and not be thinking also of Anastasia's life-long companion, her sister, Maria. Known within the family as " The Little Pair," the last Tsar's two youngest daughters were quite different personalities. Yet, they were deeply devoted to each other. Anastasia was known for her clowning, her pranks and at times a cutting mimicry that zeroed in on the victims' more tender spots. Maria was know for her warmth, friendliness and an intense interest in the lives of those around the family. She knew about every soldier's and servant's family and home village. While in captivity in Tobolsk, one of the girls' entertainments was standing at the windows and watching passers-by on the street. Marie considered the regulars, her "friends". But this was a habit developed long before post-royal captivity. Years before Maria had asked one of her mother's ladies in waiting , " Do you remember the lady in the green hat?" Maria was surprised and saddened when she did not. But Maria went on to report, "Well I saw her today on the Nevsky." ( the main thoroughfare in St. Petersburg) While Anastasia would be called a little devil, it was wondered if angel Maria was all together human herself. The Tsar was glad when she was naughty in early life. He said now he need not worry Maria would sprout wings , she was indeed a human child! However, speaking as an artist, sometimes, like the Tsar, I wondered too. At times Maria's amazingly physical beauty seems a manifestation of the feminine principle , as well as the face of a a simple, lively young woman. I include my Maria art work here. This is one of those Romanov video tributes that just come together seemingly of thier own accord. I love the Leonard Bernstein's song, "Maria " from the musical, "West Side Story" and used it here. This recording is from the end titles of the film. My short tribute to Maria Nikolaevna Romanova opens with a few bars of "Somewhere."