Catherine's great collection of art

More than 200 pieces of art and antiques from the collection of a Russian empress have arrived in Shanghai, Zhang Kun reports.

A German woman ruled Russia for 34 years in the 18th century and became the only monarch in Russian history after Peter I to be titled "the Great".

Catherine II - or Catherine the Great - loved art and befriended artists. During her reign, from 1762-1796, she bought artwork at many times the price others would offer, and commissioned artists and craftsmen for paintings, ceramics, silverware and so on.

More than 200 of the artworks owned by the Russian empress are being exhibited at the Shanghai Museum. This is the first time Russian art is featured at the museum.

These artworks and antiques have been brought to Shanghai by the State Hermitage Museum of Russia, which was founded by the empress almost 250 years ago. Now it's one of the world's most famous museums.

"Over 250 of the 290 exhibits are from the age of Catherine the Great, used by her or displayed in her palaces," said Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the State Hermitage Museum.

The other part of the exhibitions features items related to Peter the Great, who ruled Russia from 1682 to 1725, including his cane, costumes and bronze bust, among other items.

The reigns of Peter I and Catherine II marked the most glorious period of the Russian Empire, its Golden Age. Catherine identified herself as Peter's true inheritor, following his principles and policies. This won her support from the Russian people after she came into power after a conspiracy that deposed her husband, Peter III.

With the growing power of the empire, Catherine II could spend lavishly on art. Her agents went all over the world to find fine artwork, so much so that some European countries felt the threat of losing their national treasures. England and France, for example, issued laws forbidding the export of large amounts of artwork.

"Catherine II was one of the greatest buyers of European paintings in the latter half of the 18th century and she was the one to introduce the Classicism trend to Russian architecture and furniture design. The style was named Neoclassicism when it was combined with Russian influence," said Viacheslav Fedorov, director of the Russian Culture Department of the State Hermitage Museum.

"Everyone in Russia knew that the Empress had a 'stone fetish'; she was fascinated with all kinds of stone sculptures and decoration," said Fedorov. These stone sculptures, jewelry and other works feature diverse styles and characters and are from different parts of the world.

Piotrovsky said the exhibition will provide a continual experience for visitors to the Russia Pavilion at the Expo Garden.

Chen Xiejun, director of the Shanghai Museum, said that the Expo has brought more visitors to the museum.

"We used to have 6,000 to 7,000 visitors on a weekend day, but now every day we have more than 10,000 visitors."

The exhibition continues until Dec 12.

Shanghai Museum, 201 Renmin Avenue

021-6372-3500

(China Daily 08/27/2010)