The Russian Empire: Hermitage at AGO, Pt 2/5

Catherine the Great: Arts for the Empire at the AGO puts treasures
from Russia’s State Hermitage Museum on display for
Torontonians. The show, featuring items related to the reign of
Catherine II “The Great”, runs until January 1, 2006.

The exhibition begins with a sparing chronicle of Catherine’s coup
d’état and some of her immediate family. But it’s not surprising that
the portraits and memorabilia of Catherine’s husband, Peter III (who
was probably murdered), and her son and successor, Paul I (who
was definitely murdered), wouldn’t be copious.

More interesting is the section on the expansion of the Russian
Empire under Catherine. There, fine portraits of Catherine’s
favourites Potemkin and Orlov are surrounded by memorabilia of
their conquests. Samples include an antique globe, a silver tray
gilded with a map of the Black Sea, and a huge, ostentatious inkwell
that would put most coffins to shame.