History of Russia: “Lost Illusions – Paul I. Epoch and Personality” exhibition runs in Moscow

November 16 2011 “Tsaritsyno” State Museum-Reserve (Moscow) is staging an impressive exhibit “Lost Illusions – Paul I. Epoch and Personality”.

The central figure of this exhibition which is kicking off at the Grand Palace – is Emperor Paul I, who remains one of the most controversial personalities in Russian history. The year 2011 sees 210 years since the day of his tragic death.

For the first time the exhibition covers all the aspects of a short reign of Paul I which however had an effect on the further development of Russia: his reforms, domestic and foreign policy, relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, life of that time, a plot and a regicide. 

The exhibition involves 14 museums of Moscow and St. Petersburg, three state archives and private collectors. It brings together over 700 exhibits – unique memorabilia, pieces of palace interior from favorite residences of the Emperor – Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Peterhof and St. Michael’s Castle, portrait gallery of members of the Emperor’s family and courtiers, paintings and graphic works of that epoch, rare archival documents, samples of uniform, weapon and accoutrement and many other exhibits. Many of them go on show for the first time.

The exhibition is running until February 19 2012.