Stroganov Palace
The Stroganov Palace (
History
The first house for the
In 1752, Baron Sergei Stroganov commissioned the palace design from Italian architect
Like the
In the 1790s and 1800s decades, architect
After Alexander Stroganov died in 1811, the palace passed to his son
The Soviets declared the palace a national museum chronicling the lifestyle of the Russian nobility. In 1929 the museum was shut down, and much of its contents (including some priceless paintings and objets d'art) were taken to the Hermitage Museum.[3] The palace was handed over to a botanical institute. The Ministry of Shipbuilding occupied the premises for half a century, starting in 1939.
In 1988 the palace was given to the Russian Museum and became a branch housing some of its exhibitions.[4] The dilapidated building underwent a thorough and painstaking restoration process between 1991 and the present moment. In keeping with Rastrelli's original design, its walls are now painted light pink (rather than dark green, as they were in the mid-20th century). It is one of the few Baroque structures on Nevsky Prospect to preserve its original appearance.[1]
Architecture
The main façade of the Stroganov palace faces
The facade carries an entrance arch supported by two Corinthian columns. The arch is crowned with a pediment bearing the Stroganov coat of arms.[4] The spaces under the windows on the facade feature a man's profile. There are two practically anecdotal versions regarding this man's identity. According to one version, the man is the first owner of the palace, Baron Stroganov, whom Rastrelli wanted to surprise. However, many historians claim that the famous architect in fact left his own profile on the palace walls. According to this version, Rastrelli decided to do this as an unusual signature to commemorate his work.[5]
Gallery
- Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace was built in the 19th century at the opposite end of Nevsky Prospect as an architectural mirror of Stroganov Palace
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Moika Riverfaçade
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View of the palace from the Green Bridge
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Stroganov coat of arms
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The so-called New Vestibule
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The palace by night
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Stroganoff Madonna, by Duccio
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Madonna Stroganoff, byBronzino
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La Boudeuse, by Watteau
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Jeremiah, by Rembrandt
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Titus in a Monk’s Habit, by Rembrandt
See also
References
- ^ a b c Строгановский дворец (in Russian).
- ^ "The Stroganoff Palace in St. Petersburg". Saint-Petersburg.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03.
- ^ "Stroganov Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia".
- ^ a b "Stroganov Palace". Saint Petersburg Encyclopedia.
- ^ СТРОГАНОВСКИЙ ДВОРЕЦ (in Russian).