GRACIE – Masterpieces from the Hermitage

The Legacy of Catherine the Great

The National Gallery of Victoria’s winter masterpieces exhibition – Masterpieces from the Hermitage:  The Legacy of Catherine the Great provides a unique opportunity to view one of the world’s greatest art collections.

The Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace in Summer, from across the Neva River, St Petersburg
Photo: Andrey Terebenin

The exhibition brings together over 400 works including paintings, sculptures, drawings and decorative arts collected by Catherine the Great during her 34 year reign that includes some of the finest contemporary art of the 18^th century.

Alexander ROSLIN Swedish 1718–93
Portrait of Catherine II 1776–77
oil on canvas 271.0 х 189.5 cm
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ- 1316)
Acquired from the artist, 1777

With an inexhaustible passion for collecting, Catherine’s ambition was to elevate cultural awareness in Russia through her acquisitions . She sought to stimulate economic and artistic activity, education and enlightenment, to ensure St Petersburg became the vibrant epicenter of European culture.

REMBRANDT Harmensz. van Rijn Dutch 1606–69
Portrait of a scholar 1631
oil on canvas
104.5 х 92.0 cm (Inv. no. ГЭ-744)
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Acquired from the collection of Count Heinrich von Brühl, Dresden, 1769

The quality and magnitude of her collecting was immense. She acquired whole groups of works from famous European collections, the best that was offered at the time. The acquisition of The Walpole Collection raised great consternation in Britain.

Anthony van DYCK
Flemish 1599–1641
Portrait of Philadelphia and Elizabeth Wharton 1640
oil on canvas
162.0 х 130.0 cm
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-533) Acquired from the collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779

All the great masters are represented – Rembrandt, Rubens, Titan, Velazquez, Van Dyke, Leonardo Da Vinci and the list goes on. Its an exhibition not to be missed.

NGV Director Tony Ellwood with Dr Mikhail Dedinkin Deputy Head of the Western Art Department State Hermitage Museum at the Media Preview

As well as the paintings, the exhibition features engraved gems (Catherine’s great passion), a selection from the exquisite Sevre Cameo service (60 pieces), together with Western European drawing and architectural drawings.

SÈVRES PORCELAIN FACTORY, Sèvres (manufacturer) France est. 1756
Cameo Service 1778–79
porcelain (soft-paste), gilt
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Commissioned by Catherine ll as a gift for Prince Grigory Potemkin in 1777; Potemkin’s Taurida Palace, St Petersburg from 1779; transferred to the Hofmarshal’s Office of the Winter Palace after his death; 1922 transferred to the State Hermitage Museum

And finally, the Chinese Collection and Chinoiserie.

You will marvel at the superb pieces that make up the featured toilet set. The detail and craftsmanship in the filagree work is extraordinary. It’s hard to imagine using these items, but Catherine no doubt enjoyed doing so, adding 400 brilliant cut diamonds and many large Baroque pearls to one mirror for her own personal use.

This 32 piece set is the largest of it’s kind anywhere and was a wedding gift from her family.

CHINESE
Toilet service (early 18th century)
glass, mercury amalgam, paper, silver, filigree, parcel-gilt, wood, velvet, peacock and king-fisher feathers, mother-of- pearl, crystals
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-472/ 1,2, ВВс-373)

Some pieces to consider for your wish list!

CHINESE
Select pieces from the toilet service (early 18th century)
glass, mercury amalgam, paper, silver, filigree, parcel-gilt, wood, velvet, peacock and king-fisher feathers, mother-of- pearl, crystals
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-472/ 1,2, ВВс-373)

These crab-shaped boxes were used for both rouge and lipstick.