Catherine, the Greatest (Self-polished Diamond)
The Exhibition Catherine, the Greatest. Self-polished Diamond of the Hermitage at the museum Hermitage in Amsterdam until Jan 13 2017
The Hermitage Amsterdam presents her life story in a sumptuous exhibition on Europe’s longest-reigning empress. Her name has always been surrounded with stories and superlatives about her private life and court intrigues. Some of these stories are perfectly true but others belong to the realm of myth.
Catherine (1729–1796) was a German princess married off at the age of fourteen to the Russian tsar. She claimed the throne for herself after she overthrew her husband, Peter III. Catherine would become the greatest tsarina of all times.
Ambitious
Her plans to reform the whole empire were ambitious but she acted with great foresight. Besides politics she also had a tremendous passion for art. She was an enlightened despot, corresponding with Voltaire and Diderot and had a sharp eye for talented people who could help her, such as the Orlov brothers and her most influential lover, Potemkin.
Vigilius Eriksen, Portrait of Catherine the Great on Horseback, 1762. Oil on canvas
Catherine contributed more than anyone else to the world’s greatest art collection. She was a diamond of her own making.
Catherine contributed more than anyone else to the world’s greatest art collection. She was a diamond of her own making.
This exhibition invites visitors into Catherine’s world, it unravels her life story and sketches her personality.
Fyodor Rokotov after Alexander Roslin, Portrait of Catherine the Great, 1780–90 (original 1777–78).
Myths surrounding Europe’s greatest empress and her life are unraveled at this exhibition.
Myths surrounding Europe’s greatest empress and her life are unraveled at this exhibition.
This exhibition is from 18 June 2016 to 15 January 2017.
€ 2,50 surcharge with your Dutch museumcard (this includes free audio tour)
More info:
http://www.hermitage.nl/en/tentoonstellingen/catherine_the_great/index.htm
