1-152-466 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Peter I, the Great (1672-1725), Tsar of Russia. Peter became Tsar in 1682. He embarked on a campaign to modernise and Europeanise Russia, socially, economically and militarily, and develop her into a maritime power. He is seen here dressed as a ship's carpenter's apprentice so that he could go incognito while studying the art of shipbuilding, which he did at Amsterdam and Deptford on a tour of western Europe in 1698-1699. From the collection of Count Brobinsky.