St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

Wow, is it just me or does the restoration seem too bright?  I suppose the restored version must be based on the original, but I think I liked the bridge better when it looked grey colored.

To be honest, I think they should have left it as it was. Could these be the original colours ?  If this is so, I think its very kitsch. Original or not.

The vase in the foreground is also too ghastly for words. I think the restorers are getting carried away.   

Could these be the original colours ?

I think, yes.

Chinoiserie is a kitsch, isn`t it?

To be honest, I think they should have left it as it was. Could these be the original colours ?  If this is so, I think its very kitsch. Original or not.

Of course it's kitsch and couldn't have been intended to be otherwise. It's a Chinese 'village' on the grounds of a Russian palace... Give the colours that were used at Catherine Palace it's not surprising that they're so bright.

A bit like a Mexican Hacienda in a Chinese village, or vice versa. I still think its awful.
I think it spoils the garden. Some of the things at Peterhof are similarly garish.

I think on the estate of any palace outside of Russia it would like terrible. But take into consideration the vibrant colours in all of Russia's major palaces - it's very unique. If you're walking from the eccentrically painted Catherine Palace through the gardens to the Chinese village then it's not going to be too shocking.

Vladimir, do you have any more pictures of the bridges?  I'd be curious to see a few pics that are close up.  Also, has Cameron's Chinese bridge been restored?  I know the railings with the vases filled with 'coral' are still there, but did they ever restore the missing seated figures?  Thanks!

did they ever restore the missing seated figures?

I heard it will be made in this year.

http://clubs.ya.ru/4611686018427388810/replies.xml?item_no=258076&ncrnd=7690

Thanks for the extra picture Vladimir!  Personally, I don't think the bridges look that bad.  They are in keeping with the color scheme of the Chinese Village, and do reflect a more Asian color aesthetic.  If you look at traditional architecture in China, and even India, you find color schemes that would be considered garish in the west.

I'm very excited to hear the figures on Cameron's bridge will be restored soon!  They were very unique.  Here are some pictures.

Does anyone have pictures of the restored Concert Hall? 

Not yet.

New Calendar of Events:

June, 8 - exhibition “Meissen for Tsarskoe Selo” (Catherine Palace).

June, 15 - Arabesque Hall in the Catherine Palace.

June, 17 - exhibition in the Upper Bath

June, 22 - exhibition "Life in the Russian Style" (Zubov Wing of the Catherine Palace)

June, 23 - three halls in the Alexander Palace (Portrait Hall, Semi-Circular Hall and Billiard Hall)

June, 24 - pavilion Hermitage

June, 24 - exhibition "Property of the Nation" (Cameron Gallery)

June, 27 - Concert Hall

August - Lower Bath

http://www.tzar.ru/info/eventcalendar

Gatchina

Venus Pavilion was restored:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhistory-gatchina.ru%2Fevents%2Fvenus.htm&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhistory-gatchina.ru%2Fparks%2Fvenus%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

Tsarskoe Selo. New exhibition in the Catherine Palace: Porcelain of Meissen manufacture from German private collection.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tzar.ru%2Fshows%2Fshow%3Fid%3D3002&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

Anyone happen to have pictures of the restored Arabesque Hall?  Sorry to be impatient, but I've been looking forward to this room reopening for years.

Anyone happen to have pictures of the restored Arabesque Hall? 

All photos:
http://community.livejournal.com/live_report/574663.html