Memory of Russia: Exhibition “Cossacks in Paris” from the collection of the State Historical Museum in Yekaterinburg

November 2, 2012 in Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts opened the exhibition "Cossacks in Paris" from the collection of the State Historical Museum (Moscow), dedicated to the theme of the Cossacks stay in Paris in 1814 and the final stage of the Napoleonic wars - the triumphal entry of the Russian army in the capital of France, March 19, 1814 year. On that day, one of the first in the Paris city gate was the Guards Cossack Regiment.

The exhibition features the real things of everyday life of the Cossacks in the Paris period. Visitors will be introduced to their weapons, uniforms and household items. It is demonstrated 136 items.

Special attention is paid to the individual exposure of the famous and legendary Matvei Ivanovich Platov, who became a symbol of the Cossacks in the era of the Napoleonic wars. Visitors can also see personal belongings of the famous leader.

Centerpiece of the exhibition is a collection of reproductions of watercolors with the Prague artist Georg Emanuel Opitz (1775-1841), which gives a visual representation of the period of stay of the Cossacks in Paris. The artist used his own sketches from nature. Based on them, it was created a series of watercolors that holds 25 sheets in the State Historical Museum. Watercolor complemented original items of the era, illustrating life in Paris.

The final section of the exhibition presents materials to perpetuate the memory of the events of 1812-1814 in Russia in the next decade. Visitors will see the image of Christ the Savior in Moscow and Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, which was laid in honor of the victory over Napoleon. Souvenirs produced in Russia for the 100th anniversary of the events of 1812 for mass circulation are also presented, but it has come down to us in a few instances.