The full name of the founder of the collection - Rosario Julia de Shiffner Lareha Zubov (1892-1984). Future Countess was born in Argentina (in her veins flowed the blood of the German and Argentine), the son of a wealthy businessman - his father, Emilio Shiffner, engaged in trade of grain, in addition to sugar cane plantations, owned the property.
One of the richest heiresses of Argentina, Rosario grew up traveling between Buenos Aires, Berlin, London and romandskoy Riviera - Colony.
The first wife of the future countess was the Italian Ambassador, with whom she lived in Tehran.
Widowed, she remarried - for the Count Sergei Zubov. The wedding took place in 1922 in Colony, as is known, most luxurious suburb of Geneva.
Graf Rakhmanov Sergei Zubov (1881-1964) was not just a graph, a descendant of the famous favorite of Catherine II of Plato Zubov, the same one that took a direct part in the conspiracy against Paul I. According to legend, Zubov said Paul I - "You are no longer the emperor," and in response to a reasonable clout, hit him with a snuff in the temple. What happened next, you know ...
Count Sergei Rakhmanov was born in Moscow but spent his childhood in St. Petersburg, the Zubovsky palace. Family Zubov, like many wealthy people of that time has spared no money to charity: at his own expense built a home for invalids in the First World War - a military hospital, and was engaged in the health unit trains.
Curious fate of his younger brother Sergei Platonovich - Valentina: frequenter of the famous poetry cafe "Stray Dog", he first taught art history at St. Petersburg University, and then, in the first years after the revolution, has collaborated with Lunacharsky: Gatchina was the director of the museum. After immigrating, he took an active part in the activities of the Russian diaspora, was an employee of Russian Thought.
Sergei Zubov spent much time abroad. He was engaged in writing fiction and poems and plays - one of them was brought to the stage of the Imperial Theater of St. Petersburg.
After the Revolution, having lost all their money and possessions, Zubov family emigrated to Western Europe.
Was tragic fate of the only daughter of Rosario and Sergei Zubov, Tatiana: she died young - in 1957, crashed in a car accident in Uruguay. Her remains were moved and buried in Geneva, at the cemetery of St. George.
In memory of the prematurely deceased daughter Countess Zubov and decided to donate his vast collection of the city. Numerous works of art, meet at one year, are open to the public.
Zubov wanted her apartment on Grange Street, 2 have become available to the public, as well as for organizing official events - for this purpose in 1973 was the fund is "In memory of Countess Tatiana's teeth."
What are the exhibits presented in this collection?
Numerous paintings, drawings, prints, Chinese enamel, glassware, objects of worship and, moreover, the very atmosphere of rooms in the spirit of 18 th century salons regularly draw visitors.
A separate interest are items related to Russia: many of them are "born" from the Stroganov Palace and Pavlovsk palaces of St. Petersburg.
For example, all the chandeliers and wall lights from rock crystal and bronze - it is there: they date from the 18 century.
Types of St. Petersburg, captured by French artist Laprensom, in addition to spectacular scenery, and give an idea about the daily life of citizens. After living several years in Russia, Laprens well learned and handed in his works interesting details of everyday life - he Diderot admired his paintings.
Portrait of Catherine II, Paul I, the Empress Maria Feodorovna brush Italian Lampi - a real jewel of the collection - after all, his works can boast of a few private collections!
The artist spent some time in Russia at the royal court, writing a few portraits of the royal family and courtiers.
But the highlight of the collection is the cabinet "Catherine II": furniture and porcelain crowns great 18 th century tapestry depicting the great empress.
Standing with a scepter in his hands in front of the bust of Peter the First, it seems to be recalled that became his successor. "What started accomplished" - reads the inscription above her head.
Tapestry interesting in the history of production.
In 1716 it was Peter I laid the foundation for Russia's production tapestried tissues - in St. Petersburg in an effort to beautify the yard in the European manner. Thanks to him, the best French masters opened their studio in St. Petersburg.
In the period of ruling of Catherine II, the boom died down somewhat. Finally, financial constraints have led to the fact that in 1859 the production of tapestries was discontinued.
Another jewel of the Cabinet - a portrait of Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna, daughter of Paul I - the brush Borovikovsky.
In paying tribute to the taste of Catherine the Great, Diderot, its correspondent, wrote: "Among the total peace we sell our paintings and statues, while Catherine is buying them in the midst of war. Science, art, taste, wisdom back to the north, and the barbarity of his companions descended on south.
In addition to the collection of interest and the house itself and its history. A sample of the classical architecture of 18 century with elements of the Greco-Roman aesthetics, he has seen in his lifetime is not a celebrity, including Camillo de Cavour - one of the initiators of the unification of Italy (the house belonged to his mother).
For centuries, the house owned by the famous Geneva names - Sarazen, Sellon and others.
One of the most prominent owners was Genevan politician Jean-Jacques de Sellon, a humanist, an aristocrat and the original. For example, on the anniversary of the death of Calvin in 1814, he advocated the establishment of a huge statue of the great reformer ... right at the entrance to the Old Town!
But city officials rejected his initiative. Not long thinking, Sellon installs large tombstone in memory of Calvin on his terrace - the museum visitors will be able to see it in the courtyard.
Finally, with the inner terrace house offers a magnificent view of New Square, one of the most beautiful in the city - the Countess Zubovaya can not be denied in its taste.
Visiting the museum, you will touch the history of St. Petersburg and Geneva, and feel the connection between them, in the cozy atmosphere of a private collection.
Museum
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