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Benois Family Museum

Dvortsovaya Square, 8, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

There are many world-famous artists, but artistic dynasties are few. Among them, the Benois family rightfully holds a special place. This lineage has French origins. As often happened with many foreign families in Russia, the Benois family, combining French and German blood, became Russified and became the progenitor of numerous Russian figures in the arts.
Imperial Parks of Peterhof
photo
Jermaine

There are many world-famous artists, but artistic dynasties are few. Among them, the Benois family rightfully holds a special place. This lineage has French origins. As often happened with many foreign families in Russia, the Benois family, combining French and German blood, became Russified and became the progenitor of numerous Russian figures in the arts. Over two hundred years in Russia, the family expanded, enriching the dynasty with new surnames. Among them are many gifted individuals who earned recognition beyond the artistic field. But the true fame of the dynasty is owed precisely to those who dedicated their lives to art. This is a constellation of talented architects, painters, sculptors, composers, and performers. The Benois family united the dynasties of Lansere, Serebryakov, Shreter, Tamanyan, Ustinov, Cherepnin. The "Benois Family Museum" is dedicated to those who enriched Russian and world culture.

In the mid-19th century, two Ladies-in-Waiting corps were built next to the summer imperial palace according to the design of architect Nikolai Leontyevich Benois. This man, whom Emperor Nicholas I appointed as the chief architect of Peterhof, became the founder of the Benois artistic dynasty. For many of its members, Peterhof was a "native place," regardless of how their fates later unfolded. The very atmosphere of Peterhof tuned one to the perception of art, reminding of the great masters of the past.

On September 27, 1988, an art museum dedicated to this unique dynasty was solemnly opened in one of the corps of the Ladies-in-Waiting house. The idea of its creation belonged to the architect Benois’s grandson, the famous artist of the "La Scala" theater, Nikolai Alexandrovich Benois. His theatrical works, letters, and photographs from the family archive are displayed in the museum. Graphics and architecture, theatrical-decorative art and sculpture, painting and cinema, music and literature — representatives of the Benois family made a worthy contribution to the development of all these art forms. The intimate nature of the exhibition allows showing not only recognized masterpieces but also childhood drawings, as well as works through which one can trace the beginnings of the formation of the style of a particular artist.

The museum in Peterhof has become the center of the artistic heritage of the Benois family, and today many have the opportunity to get acquainted with such a unique phenomenon in Russian and world culture.

Sources:

https://peterhofmuseum.ru/objects/peterhof/muzei_semyi_benua

photo
Jermaine

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Museum "Bathhouse Building" in Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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The Large Greenhouse of the Lower Park

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Enclosures

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The center of the eastern part of the Lower Park of Peterhof has become a luxurious "golden cage" for a hundred real songbirds. The royal figures of the Petrine era knew how to live grandly themselves and to pamper their favorites. This is how the aviaries appeared—non-palatial structures created in the style of Versailles. A visitor who comes here might wonder: for whom is this splendor intended, not knowing that an innumerable bird family has made this their permanent residence. In special cages are kept both common, well-known birds and exotic chirpers.
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Chinese kindergarten

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Statue of Neptune

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain "Pyramid" ("Pyramidal")

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The "Pyramid" ("Pyramidal") Fountain is a fountain in Peterhof. It is located in the Eastern (Monplaisir) part of the Lower Park of Peterhof. Contrary to the ensemble tradition of Peterhof, it is situated separately, away from the ceremonial ensembles, on a separate Pyramid Alley. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful monuments of the Capital of Fountains. As early as August 20, 1725, chamberlain of the Duke of Holstein (father of the future Russian Emperor Peter III), F. Bergholz, wrote: "There is perhaps no other fountain so large and beautiful." The fountain "...forms an interesting pyramid," acknowledged even the less enthusiastic Aubry de La Mottraye (1726).
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Fountain "Sun"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain "Triton" or Orangery Fountain

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain Gags "Little Sofas"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain joke "Dubok"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The prank fountain "Dubok" is one of the prank fountains of the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble. It is located in the Lower Park near the Montplaisir Alley. The prank fountain was created in 1735, and its surface was originally covered with gold paint. The branched six-meter hollow tree trunk made of tin tubes was externally covered with lead, which imitated bark.
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Fountain joke "Christmas Trees"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The "Little Fir Trees" joke is a group of three small metal trees that spray water, located in one of the clumps near the Orangery. The original fountain was created in 1784 by craftsmen Keyzer and Strelnikov. The Little Fir Trees are situated in a clearing south of the Oak Grove and consist of three metal trees, which are very difficult to distinguish from real fir trees. When the elegantly dressed guests passed by, suddenly the water jets would douse the ladies and gentlemen.
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Fountain joke "Umbrella" or "Mushroom"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The prank fountain "Umbrella" is one of several prank fountains in the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof, located in the Lower Park near the Montplaisir Alley. It was created in 1796 by architect Brouwer and fountain master Keyser. It is believed that the court's fascination with China influenced its creation, which was also reflected in the construction of "Chinese" buildings in Tsarskoye Selo.
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Fountains "Bells"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Miniature fountains "Tritons" or "Bells"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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The "Hermitage" Pavilion — the first post-war museum of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Garden of Bacchus

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The Garden of Bacchus in Peterhof was designed by Nicolo Michetti in the 1720s as part of the ensemble of the Marly Palace in the western part of the Lower Park. Three paths connect it to the Garden of Venus, located between the Gulf of Finland and the Marlin Pond.
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Sculpture of Peter I holding the young Louis XV in his arms

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
A few days later, Peter wrote to Catherine: "I inform you that last Monday the local little king paid me a visit... a child quite remarkable in appearance and stature, and for his age fairly sensible, who is seven years old..."
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Venus Garden

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
In the northern part of the Marly Palace ensemble by the Marly Pond is the Garden of Venus, which is separated from the Gulf of Finland by a special retaining stone wall more than 3 meters high and about 250 meters long. Along the wall runs an alley from which one can admire the sea landscapes and view the three gardens of the Lower Park. The garden got its name thanks to the statue of Venus Medicis located here, modeled after the famous ancient Greek sculpture. The garden layout was designed by architect Nicolo Michetti.
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Museum "Imperial Yachts"

VWQ7+X3 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
Peterhof is the only seaside residence of the Russian emperors, so it was quite natural that in 2004 the museum "Imperial Yachts" was opened on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. The exhibition showcases little-known aspects of the imperial family's life. Here you can see Peter I’s naval greatcoat and skipper’s jacket, Empress Catherine II’s uniform dress in the style of the navy, photographs and models of imperial and grand-ducal yachts, which were true "floating" palaces, yacht service sets, paintings and graphics, as well as various decorative and applied art items dedicated to the glorious history of the Baltic and Neva fleets.
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Lion Cascade (Hermitage)

VWQ3+23 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
Great Architects: Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider
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The idea behind the design of the Lower Park was based on the principle: each palace should correspond to a cascade of fountains. In 1721, the construction of the "Hermitage" pavilion began, and an alley leading to it was laid out. The cascade project, referred to as the "Moses Cascade" in Peter's sketches, was prepared by the architect Nicolo Michetti, but the original plan was not realized. Initially, statues of Hercules and Flora were used as sculptural decoration, but a year later they were replaced by bronze figures of lions, made based on Prokofiev's models. The cascade, named the Hermitage Cascade by its location, received its second, more famous name "Lion's" – after its decoration.
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The Grand Cascade is the most magnificent fountain structure of the Peterhof ensemble.

Big Cascade, Pravlenskaya St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The Grand Cascade is the most magnificent fountain structure of the Peterhof ensemble and one of the outstanding structures in the world. The idea to complete the maritime ceremonial entrance to the royal residence with the Upper Palace and a cascade with grottos at its foot belonged to Peter I. The Grand Cascade consists of three waterfall staircases and two grottos, 75 fountains, and 255 bronze sculptures, mascarons, and bas-reliefs, as well as other decorative details. The construction of the Grand Cascade began in May 1716, involving architects Jean-Baptiste Le Blond and Nicola Michetti, Mikhail Zemtsov, and hydraulic engineering masters Pieter Soulema and Vasily Tuvolkov.
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Grand Palace (Peterhof)

Razvodnaya St., Building 2, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
Great Architects: Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli
The main building of the palace and park ensemble "Peterhof," located in the eponymous town on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland in the Petrodvorets district of the federal city of Saint Petersburg. It was almost completely destroyed during World War II and restored in 1952.
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Upper and Lower Grottos

Bolshoy Cascade, Pravlenskaya St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The Upper and Lower Grottos, serving as the architectural center of the Grand Cascade of Peterhof, were built according to the design of Peter I. They are faced with tuff, decorated with fountains, marble, and gilded sculptures. The facade of the Grand Grotto is pierced by five tall arches adorned with gilded mascarons. Above this grotto is a terrace leading to the Small Grotto. The boundary between the grottos is marked by a marble balustrade with figures of two gilded bronze Tritons. Architects Jean-Baptiste Le Blond, Ivan Braunstein, and Nicola Michetti participated in the creation of the grottos, with construction taking place from 1716 to 1720. Entrance is through the arched doors of the Upper Grotto. According to Peter the Great’s plan, the walls of the underground structure are faced with tuff and shells, decorated with mascarons and ornaments.
photo
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Paired Fountains "Bowls" (Italian)

Italian, Aleksandriyskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
At the foot of the Grand Palace, in the center of the parterre flower beds, are the paired "Bowls" fountains, whose construction, according to the project of architect Nicolo Michetti, was completed at the end of 1722. The trial launch took place in the presence of Peter I. The oldest fountains of Peterhof, known for the power of their jets, received a second name – the "Great Fountains." Since the hydraulic work on the eastern fountain was carried out by the Frenchman Paul Soualem, and the western one by the Italians Giovanni and Giuliano Barratini, the western fountain is called the "Italian" fountain.
photo
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Paired Fountains "Bowls" (French)

French Fountain, Alexandriyskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
At the foot of the Grand Palace, in the center of the parterre flower beds, are the paired "Bowls" fountains, whose construction according to the project of architect Nicolo Michetti was completed at the end of 1722. The trial launch took place in the presence of Peter I. The oldest fountains of Peterhof, known for the power of their jets, received the second name – the "Great Fountains." Since the hydraulic work on the eastern fountain was carried out by the Frenchman Paul Soualem, and the western one by the Italians Giovanni and Giuliano Barratini, the eastern fountain is called the "French" fountain.
photo
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