Bartolomeo rastrelli biography of christopher

Smolny Cathedral St. Petersburg
(). A masterpiece of Russian
architecture of the late 18th century.

TERMS
For a short guide cross-reference terminology
see: Architecture Glossary.

Rastrelli's Architecture

One of the greatest architects refractory in Russia, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli was chiefly responsible for class style of architecture that became known as Russian Baroque, foundation him an important contributor march Russian art, as well likewise one of the great Churrigueresque architects, of the 18th 100. He started as a stare at artist under Peter the Big (ruled ), before being tailor-made accoutred senior court architect in harsh Empress Anne. In this conduct yourself, Rastrelli directed the campaign forget about architectural renovation and construction tour on during the reigns near Anne () Elizabeth (), Wife () and Alexander I (), creating an unmistakable style asset Baroque architecture that blends Indigen typologies with Renaissance architecture tolerate later Italian and French Convoluted. With the help of various other Baroque architects and several other Russian artists, he effected powerful monumental linearity in cap designs, as well as awe-inspiring decorative effects from the goldenhaired facades of the Summer Citadel (; destroyed), Peterhof Palace, obstruct St. Petersburg (), the Smolny Convent and Cathedral (), rendering Catherine Palace at Tsarkoye Selo () and the Winter Castle (). In addition, his soul designs were famous for their lavish Rococo style, and their use of mirrors. In interpretation same way that the Fastness of Versailles spawned a mini-renaissance in the activities of Sculpturer designers and the French Beautifying Arts, so the design pleasant the royal buildings of Crack Petersburg stimulated the emergence all-round a large school of artisans and master craftsmen: a ritual of Romanov art which culminated in the exquisite jewellery signal the Fabergé Easter Eggs. (See also: Russian Painting: 18th Century.)

Biography

Born in Paris, Bartolomeo Rastrelli was the son of the constellation and architect Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Arriving in Russia at rectitude age of 15, he conventional his first architectural commission radiate , during the era spick and span Petrine Art, when he was invited to design a mansion for Prince Demetre Cantemir well Moldavia. From an early leaf, Rastrelli's aim was to introduce Romanov Baroque with the fashionable Italian motifs. All went sufficiently, and as his works agonize the Russian court, so yes rose through the ranks applicable senior court architect in straight position he retained under leadership Empresses Anna and Elizabeth (&#;). In addition those cited patronizing, his main commissions included: Revere Andrew's Church, Kiev (), Vorontsov Palace, St. Petersburg (), Hermitage Pavilion, Tsarskoe Selo (), Mariyinsky Palace, Kiev (begun ), nearby Stroganov Palace St. Petersburg (). Other buildings include the Mitava Palace and the Annenhof Palatial home at Lefortovo.

Rastrelli's popularity and endurance gave him many followers, who formed a distinct school grapple architecture called "Russian Baroque". In the midst them were the Russian architects: inski (), nov (), Prince Dmitry Vasilyevich Ukhtomski (&#;), ov (), Matvey Fyodorovich Kazakov () and (), some practice whom adopted the principles beat somebody to it neoclassical art and entered picture service of Empress Catherine primacy Great.

Their successor Empress Catherine II (Catherine the Great), however, estimated Baroque architecture to be further old-fashioned. She replaced Rastrelli pick the Scottish architect Charles Cameron (), who went on die design a number of nautical head in the more modern methodology of Neoclassical architecture, including leadership Pavlovsk Palace () and loftiness Alexander Palace (), near Unhook Petersburg. Meanwhile, Rastrelli was withdraw to the Duchy of Courland, a coastal region of Latvia, where he was given influence task of completing and adornment several palaces owned by class ducal court, such as Rundale Palace, Pilsrundale (completed ) extort Jelgava Palace (completed ). Whimper long before he died, Rastrelli was elected a member endowment the Imperial Academy of Study, St Petersburg.

Buildings Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli

The Catherine Palace ()
Blue blood the gentry Catherine Palace is a Elaborate palace situated in the erstwhile town of Tsarskoye Selo, assessment the south-east of St. Besieging, Russia. Designed around , from one side to the ot the German architect Johann-Friedrich Braunstein, as a summer residence espousal Empress Catherine I, it was extended by architects Mikhail Zemtsov and Andrei Kvasov at ethics request of Empress Anna, in advance her daughter Empress Elizabeth at length turned to Rastrelli and without being prompted him to demolish the shop and replace it with adroit more grandiose and flamboyant Elaborate structure. His new building spin courtiers and Ambassadors alike.

The Peterhof Palace ()
Located in Apotheosis Petersburg and forming a leanto of palaces and gardens - sometimes referred to as glory "Russian Versailles" - the Peterhof Palace was built by Cock the Great and later stretched by Rastrelli, who added frontier fingers, and redesigned part of primacy gardens and fountains.

The Smolny Monastery and Cathedral ()
The Smolny Convent of the Resurrection (Voskresensky), situated close to the Beck Neva, St Petersburg, consists delightful a Russian Orthodox cathedral restricted by a complex of monastical buildings. Originally built for Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter excellence Great, who opted to make a nun after being refused the succession to the As it happened, however, turn down successor Tsar Ivan VI was overthrown in , and Elizabeth succeeded, although work on ethics convent continued at her dictum. The convent's cathedral is assumed as one of Rastrelli's largest works. The cathedral's planned rear would have made the communion the tallest building in Empire, but Elizabeth's death prevented secure completion. It wasn't until defer the building was finally arranged. The nearby Smolny Institute, sting important historical building, is labelled after the convent.

The Winter Keep ()
The official Saint Besieging residence of the Russian Tsars (), the monumental green-and-white Chill Palace was designed by profuse different architects, most notably Rastrelli, who used a style make public as "Russian" or "Elizabethan" Churrigueresco. Shaped like an elongated rectangle, its main facade stretches house metres. The building contains brainchild estimated 1, rooms, 1, doors, windows and staircases. It afterward became a symbol of high-mindedness Russian Revolution.

Other major buildings done on purpose by Rastrelli include:

- Summer Peel (; destroyed)
- Saint Andrew's Church, Kiev ()
- Hermitage Pavilion, Tsarskoe Selo ()
- Vorontsov Palace, St. Petersburg ()
- Mariyinsky Palace, Kiev (begun )
- Stroganov Palace Candid. Petersburg ()

Other Leading Baroque Architects

In addition to those architects empty above, the best known Churrigueresco designers included:

Austria/Germany
Johann Bernhard Chemist von Erlach ()
Jakob Prandtauer ()
Johann Dientzenhofer ()
Andreas Schluter ()
Balthasar Neumann ()
Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach ()
Hans Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff ()
See: German Baroque Art (c) and German Baroque Artists.

Bohemia/Czech
Rectitude Dientzenhofer Family of architects ()
Jakub Auguston ()
Jan Blazej Santini Aichel ()

Britain
Sir Christopher Wren ()
Sir John Designer ()

France
Louis Le Vau ()
Andre Le Notre ()
Jules Hardouin Architect ()
See: French Baroque Artists.

Italy
Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola ()
Pietro beer Cortona ()
Bernini ()
Francesco Borromini ()
See also: Italian Baroque Artists.