Great Architects: Antonio Rinaldi

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There is almost no information about Antonio Rinaldi's childhood. He was born in 1709 or 1710 in southern Italy, most likely in Naples. He studied under Luigi Vanvitelli, a representative of late Italian Baroque. Together with other students, Rinaldi participated in the construction of projects assigned to Vanvitelli. During his work in Italy, Rinaldi gained some recognition. In 1751, the architect was invited to serve in Russia. The contract was signed for seven years, and its terms included the Italian teaching Russian craftsmen. In 1754, Antonio Rinaldi became the architect of the "small court," meaning he entered the close circle of the Tsarevich Peter III. At the heir to the throne’s suggestion, the architect began his work in Oranienbaum. There he built Peter III’s palace, the Opera House, the ensemble of the Private Dacha with the Chinese Palace and the Slide Hill. While working in Oranienbaum, Rinaldi already called himself "architect of the Grand Duchess," thus gaining the trust of the future Catherine II. After Catherine II ascended the throne, Rinaldi became the leading architect of Saint Petersburg. One of his first works in Petersburg was the Church of St. Catherine on Nevsky Prospect, started by the architect Vallin de la Mothe, who had left Russia. In 1766, under Rinaldi’s direction, the reconstruction of the Prince Vladimir Cathedral began. Two years later, Rinaldi started building the Marble Palace, and two years after that—the new building of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. At the same time, the architect built a palace in Gatchina. Later, the building of Tuchkov Buyan was erected according to Rinaldi’s design. There is a theory that Rinaldi designed the Myatlev house on St. Isaac’s Square. According to Antonio Rinaldi’s project, the Bolshoi Theatre on Theatre Square was built, on the site of which the Conservatory building was later constructed. In the 1770s, the architect mainly worked in Tsarskoye Selo. There he created the Chinese Theatre and pavilion. Besides these buildings, Antonio Rinaldi designed the Chesme and Morea Rostral Columns, the Kagul Obelisk, and the Crimean Column. Antonio Rinaldi developed a project for the comprehensive design of roads leading from Saint Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. According to this plan, marble milestone posts were installed along the roads, some of which have survived to this day. On all buildings designed by Antonio Rinaldi, you can see his signature trademark—a crossed palm and laurel branch. A notable feature of his work is the use of materials rarely applied in building decoration. For example, during the construction of the Marble Palace, he used Russian marble quarried near Lake Ladoga. When building the palace in Gatchina, Pudozh limestone was used, giving the structure an original and memorable appearance. Antonio Rinaldi worked in Russia for more than 30 years. His active career was interrupted by an accident—the architect fell from the scaffolding of the Bolshoi Theatre building he was constructing. Due to the injury, he was unable to continue working. The architect was granted a lifelong pension; Rinaldi sold all his property in Petersburg and left for Rome in 1784. The pension was regularly paid to the architect through the Russian embassy. For the last 10 years, Antonio Rinaldi devoted himself to systematizing his projects and drawings. The architect died on February 10, 1794, in Rome.

Jermaine