Russian eighteenth-century furniture of the Hermitage collection

Beschreibung

This publication is devoted to the State Hermitage collection from eighteenth-century Russian furniture. It is the largest collection in Russia both in the number of pieces it includes and in the variety of structural and decorative design concepts. The earliest the reign of Peter I when Russian furniture-making had only just begun to develop in line with fashionable European trends. The furniture of the mid-18th century (Empress Elizabeth’s reign) provides clear evidence that the fanciful baroque style was reflected in place interiors. It was the reign of Catherine II that saw the heyday of Russian furniture-making: highly artistic pieces were made not only in the imperial capital, but also in many provincial cities. The largest workshops were in St. Petersburg and the furniture they produced struck contemporaries not only by its original design in the fashionable European spirit, but also by the high quality of the workmanship. The Hermitage owns a collection of unique items made in the court workshop of the celebrated furniture-maker Christian Meyer. The publication is intended for a wide circle of readers with an interest in Russian history and culture.