Imperial Saint Petersburg: From Peter the Great to Catherine II - Hardcover

Brigitte De Montclos; D. V. Lioubin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8876240160 ISBN 13: 9788876240164

Publisher: Skira Editore, 2005

Synopsis

The myths and legends of Saint Petersburg come to life in this spectacular book that recounts the story of the city's first century of existence, from Peter I's decision to build a port on the inhospitable shores of the Neva in 1703 to the death of Catherine II in 1796.

The book features 160 items and works of art--religious art, paintings, tapestries, porcelain, furniture, ceremonial regalia, jewellery and costumes, tableware, as well as sculpture, sketches, plans and models of the city, and more - from the prestigious collections in the Hermitage Museum and the Saint Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts.

A fascinating panorama unfolds, retracing the imperial splendor of the city.

Having founded a town that was to be just a port, Peter the Great transformed it into his capital, regulating its construction and planning, choosing his architects from abroad. Plans, models, sketches, drawings, engravings and paintings tell the story of this masterly creation as well as of his sientific interests. Catherine II, woman of the Enlightenment, came to the throne in 1762. Paintings, engravings and watercolors in luminescent shades illustrate the final transformations of Saint Petersburg during her reign. The splendor of Saint Petersburg is evoked through a gallery of portraits of the most eminent figures who surrounded Catherine II. The exhibition re-creates her private world, what she called her "hermitage," in the Winter Palace, where she liked to receive her friends and admirers of her collections informally. Catherine II had a taste for the frivolous and spectacular but above all a taste for beauty, and her art collection reveals her to have been a highly enlightened connoisseur.

About this title

Synopsis:

The myths and legends of Saint Petersburg come to life in this spectacular book that recounts the story of the city's first century in existence, from Peter I's decision to build a port on the inhospitable shores of the Neva in 1703 to the death of Catherine II in 1796. Featuring over one hundred and sixty objects and works of art - religious art, paintings, tapestries, porcelain, furniture, ceremonial regalia, jewelry and costumes, tableware, as well as sculpture, sketches, plans and models of the city, and more - from the prestigious collections in the Hermitage Museum and the Saint Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. The book offers a fascinating panorama retracing the imperial splendour of a city that is a legend and focuses on four major themes of Imperial Russia: Holy Mother Russia and the religious context into which Peter I was born. Peter the Great, man of science, who introduced into Russia a large number of scientific instruments featured in the volume. Saint Petersburg: having founded a town that was to be just a port, Peter transformed it into his capital, regulating its construction and planning.

Plans, models, sketches, drawings, engravings and paintings tell the story of this masterly creation. Catherine II, woman of the Enlightenment came to the throne in 1762. Paintings, engravings and watercolours in luminescent shades illustrate the final transformations of Saint Petersburg during her reign, the splendour of life at court, and her extraordinary collection.

About this edition

• Publisher: Skira Editore
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 8876240160
• ISBN 13: 9788876240164
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320