Pictures of the Romanovs in Paris
The museum "Pinakothek Paris" exhibition "The Hermitage: The Birth of the Imperial Museum. Romanovs, the kings and collectors." Presented by about a hundred paintings and drawings collected by the four autocrats - Peter I, Catherine II, Alexander I and Nicholas I
The exposition included the works of Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck, Velazquez, Murillo, Chardin, and other masters.
At the root of the imperial collection was Peter the Great, who sent emissaries to Europe to buy paintings and sculptures. Big fan of Dutch art - Peter bought in Amsterdam a few paintings with biblical scenes and, in particular, a picture of David and Jonathan - the first Rembrandt, who went to Russia. For its part, Catherine II sought to give a collection of encyclopedic character and as a "curator" has invited well-known figures such as Diderot and Baron Grimm. The best pictures of his collection in Paris, she became in 1772 the banker and philanthropist Pierre Crozat.
"Every time the king's purchase caused dissatisfaction of French public opinion, protesting against the diversion of masterpieces in Russia - the director of" Paris Pinakothek Mark Restellini.
The point of his grandmother - Catherine II - is successfully continued, Alexander I, who favored the Spanish painter. This is partly explained by the fact that during the Napoleonic wars, the Spaniards rendered heroic resistance to the invaders. It is curious that Alexander I bought 38 paintings from the former wife of Napoleon, Josephine de Beauharnais. And in a sign of gratitude for showing her "generosity," she gave the Russian monarchy priceless cameo.
Nicholas I after the fire in the Winter Palace in 1837 decided to build the new Hermitage and make it a public museum. He preferred the Italian art of the Renaissance and bought several paintings by Titian and other great Italians of Assembly Barbarigo in Venice. The emperor received the collection of the Hermitage works of the Dutch school XV and XVI centuries, and Spaniards - Surbaranom and Murillo.
During the reign of Nicholas I, The Hermitage was opened two or three hours a day. But when Alexander II of Russia was the best museum accessible and free to all comers. A good example for the current times.
http://www.izvestia.ru/culture/article3150987/