Abstract
Russia and Spain re-established relations in 1856 after a two-decade diplomatic crisis caused by disagreements over Carlism. The appointment of Mariano Téllez-Girón, XII Duke of Osuna, as the plenipotentiary minister in the Russian court signaled a friendly reconciliation between the two countries. However, it meant above all the reaffirmation of the Spanish nobleman, who left his mark on the Russian royal and public sphere. The Duke of Osuna knew how to gain the Tsar’s trust and displayed his sense of honor, imbued with the aristocratic spirit and the European dandy. This work provides a portrait of the Duke of Osuna during his embassy in Saint Petersburg, against the backdrop of the ideal of Spanish liberalism, and of the dandy as a new archetype of bourgeois honor. The Letters from Russia, by Juan Valera, secretary of that embassy, help to understand the controversial image displayed by Osuna in the Court of Alexander II. The Duke not only adapted to the Russian noble and autocratic customs, but also presented a very particular way of understanding the figure of the nobleman, which allowed him to refute the existing stereotypes around Spain, as well as reinforce the prestige of Queen Elizabeth, formally recognized not only by Russia, but by the rest of the powers.
Highlights
El XII duque de Osuna entre el espíritu aristocrático y el Dandi
Russia and Spain re-established relations in 1856 after a twodecade diplomatic crisis caused by disagreements over Carlism
The appointment of Mariano Téllez-Girón, XII Duke of Osuna, as the plenipotentiary minister in the Russian court signaled a friendly reconciliation between the two countries
Summary
El XII duque de Osuna entre el espíritu aristocrático y el Dandi. El nombramiento de Mariano Téllez-Girón, XII duque de Osuna, como ministro plenipotenciario en la corte rusa suponía la reanudación de las relaciones entre ambos países, deterioradas especialmente por la causa carlista. El duque de Osuna, al margen de las controversias políticas que pudieran surgir entre ambos países, supo ganarse la confianza del zar y desplegar su particular sentido del honor, imbuido del espíritu aristocrático y del Dandi europeo. El objetivo del estudio es hacer un retrato del perfil del duque de Osuna durante su misión diplomática en San Petersburgo, a partir de la idea de nobleza que se impuso, no sin contradicciones y oposiciones, en el liberalismo español y la idea del Dandi, como nuevo arquetipo del honor burgués. El Duque no sólo se amoldó a las costumbres nobiliarias y autocráticas rusas, sino que permitió introducir una manera muy particular de Cuadernos Iberoamericanos. Declaración de divulgación: El autor declara que no existe ningún potencial conflicto de interés
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