Oranienbaum. The Idyllic World of Russian Sinicism
Tatyana Syasina
This issue opens with an article depicting the most exquisite and one of its kind architectural monument in the Rococo style in Russia – the Chinese Palace and the Private Dacha complex of structures in Oranienbaum. This ensemble, being an idea of Catherine II, implemented by the architect Antonio Rinaldi, is a magnificent example of the Chinoiserie style. The interiors reflect a passion for Chinese art, which smoothly blends with the playful elements of European Rococo: “pictures of smoking oriental incense burners, gushing fountains, treillages, magic birds, Chinese hats, parasols and fans”. The interior décor was created by many masters: the plafonds were painted by Serafino Barozzi and Jacopo Guarana; the type-setting parquet by J. Lang; the fireplace was carved in the Chinese style by I. Nikolayev; the silk wall coverings were sewn by A. Mikhailova and painted by F. Vlasov, F. Danilov and Y. Gerasimov. The panels of the Glass Beaded Salon, the peak of elegance and style, took over two years for the best Russian gold-work needlewomen under the guidance of Marie de Chele from France to embroider.
Key words: Chinoiserie style, the Chinese Palace, the Riding Mountain Pavilion, Catherine II, A. Rinaldi, Oranienbaum, the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve.