SHM, July 3 - September 30, 2012
Moscow, Red Square, 1

today at the State Historical Museum presents "Catherine II. The path to the throne. On the 250th anniversary of the accession to the throne. " The exhibition is devoted to the initial period of the life of Catherine II of Russia - from the arrival in the country before coming to the throne. These years have shaped the fate of Catherine, had not been represented by means of the museum, which allows you to attract not previously exhibited or rarely used at trade shows exhibits, which will add new features to its "museum" image.

Unknown artist Portrait of Grand Duchess Catherine,. The middle of the XVIII century A copy of the portrait of Hans Groot 1748 Oil on canvas. 89 x 71 Source: Press Release SHM

German Princess Sophia Augusta Fredericka of Anhalt-Zerbst was chosen by the Empress Elizabeth in the brides to his nephew, the heir to the Russian throne, Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich - the son of her older sister Anna and Duke Karl Friedrich of Holstein. She came to Russia in 1744, became Orthodox under the name Catherine, and lived here until his accession to the throne 18 years long. By her own admission, these years were the worst in her life. But that's when Catherine was formed as a person and a statesman. Already by the mid-1750s Catherine, first played a very modest role in the court due to his intellect, strength and determination was the figure, without which the "strong men" of Elizabeth's reign could not make a single game in his political game. Another important political "lessons" for the future Catherine the Great was short - only 186 days - the reign of her husband, Emperor Peter III, during which he managed to antagonize the officials, guards, army, church hierarchs.

The exhibition tells about the main events in the life of Grand Duchess Catherine I: origins and upbringing, his arrival in Russia, making Orthodoxy, marriage with the heir to the throne, the birth of his son, as well as a palace coup on June 28 and the coronation of September 22, 1762.

important place in the exhibition is the story of a family lifestyle, interests and occupations of Peter Fedorovich and Catherine I.

for display at the exhibition are selected for a variety of nature and are of great historical value materials. Visitors will see rare portraits of the main characters and those of their surroundings: favorites, political allies and rivals, the types of urban and architectural drawings, fireworks, battle scenes, weapons, items, items of a palace, and rare cartographic and numismatic memorials, the investigation of the case.

set of uniforms (small form) staff officer of the Life Dragoons Holstein troops of Peter III (of 4 items .) Russia. 1761-1762 belonged to the Emperor Peter III Kaftan officer of the Life Dragoons Holstein troops removable knots. Cloth, gold thread spun and beat, beat, and silver gimp, colored silk thread, brass, oil on canvas. The length of the back of his uniform 93.5 cm, 54.0 cm length of the aglet camisole to his uniform. Cloth, stamed, brass. Back length 71.5 cm Source: Press Release SHM

Panagia. Kiev. The middle of the XVIII century. Rim and eyelet medallion - gold, Panagia - silver, diamonds, rubies, spinel, pyrope, glass, carnelian, quartz, topaz, enamel pin - no drag. metal, gilding, carving, molding Source: Press Release SHM

Among the most valuable relics - personal things: dress Elizabeth, uniforms, Peter III, as well as the autographs of Elizabeth, Peter, Catherine, the original notes of the famous Catherine II, and one of his last letters to his wife of Peter III, written after a palace coup.

Some of the exhibits was first brought before the public, among them two unknown portraits: the Empress Elizabeth and the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich, educational book of Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst.

The bulk of the exhibits are objects from the collections of the State Historical Museum. In addition, the exhibits provide the State Russian Museum, State Tretyakov Gallery, State Museum of Fine Arts. Pushkin, the Russian State Archive of Ancient Documents, State Archive of the Russian Federation, the State Museum of Ceramics and "Kuskovo estate in XVIII." The State Museum «Peterhof» State Memorial Suvorov Museum, Museum Association All-Russian musical Culture. Glinka.

Source : Press Release SHM