The architecture of the Northern capital of Russia is replete with world famous names. Pillars such as Russia, Quarenghi, Rastrelli, Montferrand, Felten, Trezzini and many others were created here to please emperors and nobles. Let's talk about the legacy of the great architect of St. Petersburg, the creator of the main facade of this wonderful city, the dominant of Palace Square and the entire creative era of the so-called mature baroque in Russia. Speech, of course, about the Winter. We will reveal the name of its creator. This is the architect Rastrelli. The Winter Palace is not only the crown of the career of the famous architect, but also an architectural monument of the eighteenth century.
Carier start
The architect of the Winter Palace was born in Paris in 1700, and his father, an Italian sculptor, put a lot of effort into developing the talent he immediately noticed from his son. Having been educated in Paris, Rastrelli moved to Russia with his dad in 1716. At first, the future architect of the Winter Palace worked as an assistant for his father, but in 1722 he began his own career in a new and often unfriendly country. Until the 30th year he traveled a lot to Europe, mainly to Italy, Germany, France. The main purpose of these trips can be called training. During this time, he adopted a lot from European masters, forming his own vision of the Baroque style, which was not slow to express itself in the first works that appeared in the 30s of the eighteenth century.
Early period
The future architect of the Winter Palace created several wooden buildings in Moscow in 1730 by order of Anna Ioannovna, who held the throne at that time. Soon after the empress moved from the main throne to the Northern capital, in 1732, Rastrelli took up the project of the Winter Palace, already the third, but not the last. In addition, during the specified period, two palaces were created for Biron. And his craving for baroque is increasingly being formed in intricate and at the same time large-scale projects of that time.
Palace in Peterhof
The heyday of Rastrelli's talent falls on the time of the emergence of the power of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. He receives official orders for large projects of national importance. In the creations of the master, the face of Russian and world architecture is formed. Luxurious finishes symbolize the power and wealth of the empire. A new summer palace for the first lady of the state grows on the site of the current Engineering Castle. In the period from 1746 to 1755, thanks to the efforts of the architect, the Peterhof Palace, now famous all over the world, rises . From 1752 to 1756 - the no less famous Tsarskoye Selo Palace. World fame and grace of the highest state elite come to him.
Tsarskoye Selo Palace
The Grand, or Catherine’s Palace, located in Tsarskoye Selo, is a completely different story. It was thanks to the incredible talent of the architect who took up its construction that gained world fame for the construction. This is one of his most famous creations, which led the master to the crown of his entire heritage, because it was after him that a masterpiece was created, which now houses one of the richest museums in the world - the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The architect invested in it all his vast experience accumulated by then and a maximum of talent, resulting in a building, which millions of tourists still gather to see to this day.
Winter Palace
So, the architect of the Winter Palace took up its construction in 1754. At this moment, the master, already in his years and not only fondled by the elite of world culture and politics, but who managed to get enough of it, is building one of the most famous architectural monuments of the so-called mature Baroque, which, by the way, is already outlived. The building is almost completely completed by 1762. This complex is truly magnificent. In plan it is a grandiose enclosed square with a patio. The facade overlooking the Palace Square is a work of art in its highest manifestation.
The magnificence and true, ceremonial purpose of the building are perfectly emphasized. Obviously, this is what the architect of the Winter Palace emphasized. Under Peter 1, for example, this pretentiousness was not paid any attention to, but Elizabeth, his daughter, loved luxury, and constantly surrounded herself, including in architecture.
And Winter is all in it. Both facades (and the one that faces the embankment, and the one that faces Palace Square) are magnificent in their harmony and richness of decoration, luxury, intrusively reporting that the Russian emperors are used to the very best. That is why there are still a huge number of people flocking to Petersburg to personally see these magnificent exteriors and interiors, created more than two centuries ago.
Last years
It should be noted that at about the same time an equally important monument of architecture of the era was created. The famous Smolny Cathedral was built in the years 1748-1764. As you know, Catherine, who ascended the throne in 1762, did not like the pretentiousness of mature Baroque architecture. This was not slow to affect the position of the maestro caressed by power. First, he simply resigned, and then completely went to Switzerland, without waiting for the completion of the construction of his last brainchild - Smolny Cathedral. Rastrelli died in 1771, according to some accounts - in Switzerland, according to others - in Russia. This uncertainty only adds a secret to the already legendary career of the famous creator of the imperial facades and interiors of St. Petersburg.
Nevertheless, so, quite ingloriously, the famous architect of the Winter Palace ended his days, under Peter began his great career, and under Catherine completed it. But his creations are still surprising. And, in spite of everything, the name of the architect of the Winter Palace remains one of the greatest in centuries.