Peterhof Reflections of Empress Alexandra Fedorovna’s Memories About her Sojourn in Palermo

Abstract

This research, for the first time, collected and analyzed archive records and other sources regarding the various Peterhof “reflections” of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna’s impressions from her stay in Palermo, where she spent the winter of 1845–1846. The journey to Sicily and back, as well as the long stay in Palermo, became her first visit to Italy. This journey was a formative experience for the Empress. She tried to recreate the feelings and environments of Sicily in Peterhof by ordering the buildings and decorating her personal spaces as reminders of this trip. The pavilion Renella was built in the Znamenka estate near Peterhof – a replica of the Arenella pavilion on the shores of the Gulf of Palermo. Canvases by T. Duclere, K. Hummel, L. Gurlitt, D. Jensen, P. Orlov, A. Schott, and Vorobyov with views of Palermo adorned the rooms of this pavilion and the Cottage – the family house in Peterhof. The marble floor was brought from Palermo for the terrace of the Cottage. The copies of paintings with views of Palermo decorated the main room of another Peterhof pavilion – Ozerki, built in 1845–1848. Music written by composers from Palermo was performed in Peterhof. To commemorate the Empress’s return, poet P. Obodovsky wrote a poem about the beautiful Palermo, and F. Glinka composed the music for this romance. The study is based on Olga’s memoirs, the diaries of Konstantin and other children of the imperial couple, the biography of Alexandra Feodorovna by A. T. Grimm, the analysis of palace and museum inventories, economic documents of the Ministry of the Imperial Court and a series of engravings with views of Palermo and its surroundings published in commemorative books of the War Ministry.