World History: “Russian descendants of the French Empress. Dukes of Leuchtenberg in St. Petersburg” Exhibition

“Russian descendants of the French Empress. Dukes of Leuchtenberg in St. Petersburg” exhibition is running from October 7th 2011 through February 1st 2012 at Rumyantsev Mansion (St. Petersburg).

The exhibition showcases over 100 exhibits from collections of the State Hermitage and the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, which used to be the part of the richest art collection of Dukes of Leuchtenberg-Beauharnais.  

The joint exhibition project undertaken by two major museums of St. Petersburg revives the atmosphere of the past splendor, which used to dominate in the mansion on English Embankment, which by right was considered to be one of the most amazing palaces of the northern city, and reminds us about its famous owners.

The exposition features items from art collection of Dukes of Leuchtenberg: paintings by Italian, Flemish, French, German masters of 15th – 19th centuries, including works by Cima da Conegliano, Peter Paul Rubens, Pieter de Hooch, Pietro Rotari, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. On display are also works of arts and crafts: china, furniture, weapons, and bronze items from Germany, Italy, France, China and Turkey.