SPLENDOURS OF THE ROMANOVS EXHIBITION.

From the perfectly exquisite bejewelled Faberge eggs to the equally perfectly detailed sketch for a wine glass, this exhibition is guilty of a serious Wow factor.

The Splendours of the Romanovs features 600 artefacts from the 300 year dynastic reign of the aristocratic Russian family. It encourages hyperbole, it is an opulent extravaganza of gold, silver, precious jewels, art, religious iconography and so much more…

On entering the first salon, I was seduced by all of the above, from the beautiful coronation dress created for Maria Alexandrovna to the huge panel of icons, never before shown in the Western world. Sitting in front of the screen, I was struck by the detail, the brilliant colours, the goldleaf work, the enigmatic central figure of Christ. My imagination led me to think of sitting in a freezing, stone Byzantine church and feasting my eyes on something that would take me away from my peasant misery and offer a glimpse of eternity.

The exhibition continues with a further eight areas, divided into:

The Splendours of the Romanovs; an artistic voyage around portraits, furniture including a coronation throne, silver and Baccarat glassware.

Moscow, Portrait of a City;  a series of thirty paintings and engravings of  the great city documenting the before and after Napoleon’s massacre. The great fire of 1812 altered the landscape and roofscape of the entire city, leaving only churches and The Kremlin intact.

The Imperial Orders; here among the aristocracy’s jewels one can see famous French names as well as famous Russian. There was an exchange of Western and Russian influence and on display are pieces by Cartier and Chaumet, who sent their representatives to the Russian court and by Boucheron who actually opened a branch in Moscow. I loved the jewellery, L’Art Nouveau style is, in my opinion, one of the most elegant.
The centrepiece of this area is, undoubtedly, the six exquisite Faberge eggs made for the Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II. Anna had to be dragged away –  I know what to buy her as a Christmas present now!

The Russian Style; is a collection of metalwork representing the skill and diversity of Russian life.

The Russian School of Itinerate Painters;  a selection of the work of realist painters depicting the conditions of the Russian people. These genre paintings reflected the zeitgeist in art, as much as Tolstoy, Turgenev and Dostoyevsky did in their writing. They all wanted to show the plight of the peasants and the struggle for equality.

The Destiny of the Romanovs; this section for me was desperately sad. There are happy family photographs of Nicholas & Alexandra and their children. Even more poignant is a movie of them laughing and loving life. I watched, all the while knowing how abruptly their lives ended. It was sobering, among so much opulence and creativity, life is still fragile and unpredictable.

Epilogue of the Exhibition; with the Russian Avant-Garde,

I’m glad the exhibition finishes with an artistic flourish, Russian artists dominated the early 20th century with their dramatic artwork. Dynamism & Futurism are far removed from the religious triptychs in the first room. And yet, are they? Isn’t all art modern when first created? If art holds up a mirror to society, this exhibition gives us an incredible insight into the lives and times of one of the most amazing historical dynasties.

I loved the exhibition, it was beautifully presented, the idea of having the jewels encased in egg-shaped cases was inspirational. It was a pleasure to walk through the red cutout trees, to be teased into looking at the next exhibit. I also thought the hanging of the lithographs from the ceiling was so effective, there was a sense of being part of the scene oneself.

I encourage everyone to go and see this amazing exhibition and also to see the Diaghilev & The Ballets Russes held across the road at Villa Sauber. Both are a delight and I am now more determined than ever to visit Russia.

MOSCOW- SPLENDOURS OF THE ROMANOVS
GRIMALDI FORUM
MONACO

11th July – 13th September

www.grimaldiforum.mc