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Empress's Study
Empress's Study
 
 
 
 

For many, the Empress's study will be the loveliest room in the entire palace. It is entirely encrusted in polished, white, artificial marble, and was decorated by Professor Vighi of the Imperial Academy of Beaux-Arts at St. Petersburg, after Rossi's original designs. These precious decorations cost 15,000 rubles and comprise a ceiling decorated with four different subjects, a frieze with groups of cupids and 12 allegorical subjects on the walls. The flying groups of women in delicate flowing garments are free interpretations of ancient Roman motifs from the buried cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy.

A note about Vighi.  Vighi was invited to Russia by Emperor Paul, and worked on the decoration of the Michael Castle, after which he went to Moscow before returning to Petersburg to work at Yelagin Palace for Alexander I.  In 1806 he presented his works to Count Stroganoff, president of the Academy of Beaux Arts and asked him to be elected to the Academy for his artistic achievements.  This was done that same year.

Le cabinet de travail de S.M. l'Imperatrice Mére était sans contredit la chambre la plus jolie de tout le palais.  Il est entiérement en stuc blanc; décoré par le professeur de l'Academie I,périale des Beaux Arts de St. Petersbourg Vighy, d'apres les esquisses de Rossi.  Ces decorations, payées 15.000 roubles, comprennent un plafond avec 4 sujets différents, une frise avec groupes d'amours et 12 sujets allégoriaues sur les murs

Deux mots sur Vighy.  Appelé en Russie par l'Empereur Paul, Vighy travailla à la décoration du château Michel aprés quoi il alla à Moscou.  En 1806, présentant ses travaux au Comte Stroganoff, président de l'Academie des Beaux Arts il lui demanda d'être élu pour son mérite artistique, membrre de l'Academie.  Cela fut fait la même année.  

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