The Romanovs in St Petersburg
from 8 November 2013 to 5 October 2014
Dedication to the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanov
Peter and Paul Fortress, Engineer’s House
The exhibition is dedicated to the 400th Anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. The state, public and charity activity of the representatives of the House of Romanov and their private life in St Petersburg is introduced with scenic and graphic art, documents, books, photographs, commemorative medals and architectural projects displayed at the exhibition.
The history of St Petersburg was closely associated with the House of Romanov from the time of its foundation to 1917: ruling emperors and empresses, great dukes and great duchesses influenced the development of St Petersburg culture and art, science, education, industry and social institutions.
The exhibition displays paintings and sculptural portraits of the Romanovs (beginning from Peter I to Nicholas II) from the collection of the State Museum of the History of St Petersburg. Among them there are paintings of Alexey Antroppov, Marie-Louise Vigée-Lebrun, Ivan Kramskoy, Gerhard von Kügelgen and Leonty Miropolsky. This portrait gallery is complemented by monument to Peter I on the Senate Square near Mikhailovsky Castle and equestrian statue to Nicholas I on St Isaak’s Square. Apart from the above exhibits visitors are to see the model of Alexander Column and casket with medals that should have been put under the monument to Catherine II in front of the Alexandrinsky Theatre.
Visitors can admire views of imperial and grand ducal palaces, built in St Petersburg and suburbs during the 18th – 19th centuries: Winter Palace, Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna, Big Tsarskoselsky Palace, Pavlovsky Palace, Gatchina Palace, Mikhailovsky Palace, Mariinsky Palace, Kamennoostrovsky Palace, Elagin Palace, Nikolaevsky Palace, Sergievsky Palace and others as well as the interiors of royal residences.
Engravings, lithographs and watercolors which are displayed at the exhibition give an idea of the official and private life of the members of the Romanov family in St Petersburg. The images shown here depict official events in the life of the city and the royal family: coronations, weddings, celebrations of military victories and memorable dates, parades and drills. Also visitors will have a chance to see menus of ceremonial dinners and suppers; posters of exhibitions, theater plays and music evenings organized with the support of the royal family.
Period of the reign of Nicholas II - late 19th - early 20th century – is shown on photographs of Karl Bulla and other photographers of the time. They captured the Emperor's private life which resonated with the image of the events of the First World War.
The exhibition presents printed copies of decrees and manifestos by Russian Emperors and Empresses. Of special value are the documents with authentic autographs of Peter I, Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine II, Paul I, Alexander I and Alexander II.
The section devoted to the 300th Anniversary of the Imperial House of Romanov in 1913 finishes the exhibition.
