Decorated with exuberant opulence, Catherine’s palaces served as a dazzling backdrop for her glamorous court functions. Precious porcelain wares were an important part of ceremonial dining. Soon after her ascension to the throne, Catherine visited the porcelain factory and compiled a detailed plan for its reorganization. In 1765, the factory was renamed the Imperial Porcelain Factory and designated the exclusive Imperial supplier. Commissioned by the Empress, the elegant Arabesque, Cabinet and Yacht Services were among the major achievements of the Imperial Porcelain Factory.

Catherine II is known to history as Catherine the Great. She rejected this title during her life, explaining, “I leave it to posterity to judge impartially what I have done.” History has not been kind to the Empress, often focusing on salacious accounts of her numerous love affairs. But the notoriety of her private life cannot diminish her many achievements as a ruler of her vast realm.

 

Happening Now

Monumental Soviet Paintings

Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Sunday, September 21, 2025

Monumental Soviet Paintings post image
Russia’s Native Mushrooms: Botanical Watercolors by Alexander Viazmensky post image

Chemiakin’s Worlds

Saturday, March 15, 2025 - Sunday, June 22, 2025

Chemiakin’s Worlds post image

Geometric Abstraction: Selections from the Kolodzei Art Foundation Collection

Saturday, February 1, 2025 - Sunday, June 1, 2025

Geometric Abstraction: Selections from the Kolodzei Art Foundation Collection post image
Say No to War: Political Cartoons by Ukrainian and Russian Artists – The 4th Iteration post image
The Permanent Collection Gallery post image