Russian culture abroad: The exhibition "Rarities of the House of Romanovs. Summer Imperial Residence in Peterhof" is represented in China

June 11, 2017 in the People's Republic of China was opened an unprecedented in its scope and geography project, prepared by the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof" - an exhibition "Rarities of the House of Romanovs. Summer Imperial Residence in Peterhof". More than 240 items from the royal palaces of the Moscow's fountain capital will travel to three million-million cities in China.

Peterhof rightfully belongs to the title of one of the symbols of Russian culture and history. The Imperial residence, reflecting the characteristics of all the reigns, has become a kind of encyclopedia of artistic tastes and architectural styles, in which, from Peter's time, the three hundred-year-old fate of Russia is embodied.

The opening part of the exposition is devoted to creator and founder of Peterhof. Presented at the exhibition tapestries of West European and Russian work, marinas and still lifes of Dutch and Flemish craftsmanship, skipper jacket and a unique model of Peter the Great sailing vessel illustrate the outstanding character of the first Russian emperor, his aesthetic tastes and attachments. Picturesque portraits of the august owners of the residence, by whose will the ensemble was reconstructed and acquired new features, constitute at the exhibition an extensive portrait gallery of the Russian Imperial House.

The brilliant palaces and fountains of Peterhof served as the visiting card of the empire. High foreign guests were solemnly received here, state rituals were held, connected with the key events in the imperial family - coronations, weddings, christenings. The unique exhibits of the exhibition tell about the parade life of the Petergof residence. Against the backdrop of photographic reconstruction of the interiors of the Great Peterhof Palace, the throne chair of Empress Catherine II, a dessert set from the dowry of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, items of the Banqueting Service executed especially for Peterhof, church utensils and other rarities are demonstrated. As the main picturesque exhibits - the grandiose work "Sailing boat in the sea" by Ivan Aivazovsky and the mysterious beauty of the brush Pietro Antonio Rotari from the trellis hanging of the Picture Hall.

To tell about the private life of the imperial residence, hidden from prying eyes, Peterhof provides the best works of art from the collection of the palaces of Alexandria - a picturesque family park that arose in the beginning of the XIX century near regular gardens and fountains. The artifacts of writing and reading, old sports equipment, walking dresses, sets for ladies' handicraft and attributes of the card game, which became an indispensable part of royal leisure in the XIX century, represent the family world of four generations of the Romanovs.

The design of the exhibition and the exposition series is supported by video content, prepared on the basis of modern shooting materials and documentary chronicles.

The exhibition will first start at the Chengdu Museum, then the project will be presented at the Guizhou Province Museum (Guiyang City) and the Hebei Museum (Shijiazhuang City).