Memorable dates of Russia: Exhibition “For loyalty to eternal ideals…” timed to the 200th anniversary of the birth of architect N. L. Benois in Peterhof

The exhibition “For loyalty to eternal ideals”, timed to the 200th anniversary of the birth of architect Nicholai Leontyevich Benois and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Museum of the Benois family, opened at the Museum of the Benois family (the Peterhof State Museum Reserve).

The exhibition is dedicated to the Peterhof period of life and work of Nicholai Leontyevich Benois. It features more than 100 previously unexposed subjects from the Peterhof State Museum Reserve: watercolors, drawings and plans, family photos, diplomas and certificates, postcards and photos of the second half of the XIX century with the image of the buildings constructed by N. L. Benois, items from the collection of “Sculpture” and “Numismatics”.

The exhibitions are preceded by a small exhibition which tells the story of the creation of the Museum of the Benois family in the period 1985-1988. The exhibition features not previously exhibited photographs, which capture the moments of the negotiations on the organization of the museum, a visit to Peterhof of the initiator of its opening - Nikolai Alexandrovich Benois. Viewers can see rare news in pictures from the opening ceremony of the museum and the transfer of the first exhibits. Another important part of the exhibition were the letters of N. A. Benois, telling in detail on its proposals and plans for a museum, invitations, booklets and other materials that most clearly illustrate the activities of the museum at the initial stage.

The main exhibition is divided into several thematic blocks. The first is devoted to family and stages of formation of Nicholai Leontyevich Benoit as an architect. Much attention is paid to the works he created during the pensioner’s trip to Europe in the years 1840-1846.

The history of the design and construction of buildings Peterhof, plans restoration of palaces and gardens of Peterhof, including the Grand Cascade and Grand Grotto in the 1859-1860-ies reflects in another section of the exhibition.

A separate unit includes graphic work with the views of Peterhof made ​​by other members of the famous dynasty, thereby demonstrating the continuity of generations of “endless” Benois.