Russian Empire

Description

A magnificent record of early 19th century Russian architecture, interiors and decorative arts: furniture, metalwork, glass and porcelain. Paintings and photographs of existing interiors show rooms decorated in the Empire style. The Empire style represents one of the most brilliant periods in the history of Russian art, its true“golden age”. The scope of the early 19th century Russian Empire style embraces the architectural masterpieces of the imperial capital and the naive work of semi-professionals and dilettantes in the provinces. Its range extends from the unique architectural ensembles of St. Petersburg, Russia’s “Palmyra of the North”, and the magnificent royal palaces on the outskirts of the city to the country estates of Russia’s noble families around Moscow and their cosy mansion-houses in the old capital itself. The Empire period is also one of equal brilliance in all Forms of the decorative and applied arts. 270 color illustrations.