Oranienbaum > The Chinese Palace

The Chinese Palace

Second, all the exhibits were successfully delivered from the occupation and took its place in the halls of the Palace. Now this is not only a monument of art and architectural importance but also a place where unique and priceless treasures are hold. The Chinese Palace was built at the bidding of Catherine the Second. The name «Chinese» is related to the fact that all the rooms are decorated in Chinese art style. It kept up with the times. In the 18th century all Europe was addicted to the art «chinoiserie» which means Chinese. For the Palace Catherine the Second bought or ordered to make rare pieces of art, porcelain and painting collections. Nowadays most of them are the parts of the Palace decor. Especially for Catherine the Second the painters of Venice Art Academy created courtly plafonds for the Palace interiors. The Palace was a place where famous Serafino Barozzi and inimitable Stefano Torelli painted their pictures. In Paris Catherine the Second bought a collection of furniture made of a nut-tree, in China — porcelain and unique pieces of East art currently decorated the Chinese rooms' interiors. According to the wish of Catherine in Saint-Petersburg, experts embroidered the only ones of its kind famous glass pictures which now are the masterpieces of applied arts.

Being young Catherine adored spending her time in Oranienbaum. After the crowning she desired to have country cottage in there. In 1762 a decree was issued which allowed starting a construction of the country cottage.

Catherine the Second showed great interest in her summer residence. In 1768 the Palace was ready. She realized well art importance of the Palace and was proud of it. Thus it was not accidental that she accepted foreign ministers and even some European kings in the Palace. The empress was glad to show this «rare precious tool» to noble foreign guests because she fairly expected to see their admiration. She often started the reception in the glass cabinet as its rare and courtly interior was an evidence of high level of Russian art not worse than the European one. Also it emphasized refined taste of the owner of the country cottage.