Alexander Palace Restoration pictures

[blessOTMA]

Thank you, EmmyLee and Alan!

[EmmyLee]

All right, first off, I want to make it perfectly clear whose photos these are so as not to cause any confusion. These are NOT mine; they have been provided by Alan, who took them on August 6, 2010. His photos are a real treat for us because of the new views he's giving us and the fact that it's just plain, good photography in my opinion. I want him to know how much we appreciate him doing this for us. Alan will be sending me photos that he also took of the bridges in the Alexander Park.



Was it in this thread that we were wondering about the unpainted section of the wall in the Semi-Circular Hall? I think Alan has cleared this mystery for us.



I'd never noticed it before, but it's clearly a wall painting of windows to mimic the real windows above the doors onto the terrace! You can see it here in a period photo of the Semi-Circular Hall.

[TroubleTwin2]

These photo's are absolutley beautiful. I really hope that one day I'll be able to see it all in person.

[EmmyLee]

As promised, here is the 2nd installment of Alan's photos in the AP and around the park. I didn't even know these bridges existed; I'd be curious to see photos of them before they had been painted.

[Alan]

The remnant of wall painting to depict a window and clouds is not over the doors. That section has glass but the other semi-circular sections inside the Hall did have this decoration. They were painted over sometime but this one remnant remains. I did spot it but the attendant also pointed it out to me. There are no restrictions on photography. I did take more of the Nicholas and Alexandra rooms but they were practically the same as two years ago.
I asked about the floors. The floor in the Semi-circular Hall was relaid in Soviet times but the floors in the rooms either side are original and I have included a shot of the pattern. I use a simple Canon digital camera and once downloaded onto the computer I can enhance them and do other things.
I hope you all enjoy them.
Alan

[Alan]

I have a guide book bought two years ago and the pictures of the bridges are all "battleship grey" !

[Alan]

During the Second World War, the Germans destroyed the Chinese figures on the Large Bridge. They were only replaced earlier this year.
Alan

[blessOTMA]

Oh my lord!! Thank you both!!! Love them!

[TroubleTwin2]

The outdoors looks just as breath-takingly beautiful as the indoors. It looks so peacful there.

[Alan]

Thats probably the reason they chose to live there for Alexi's health. They were frightened of living in the city with the previous assassinations.

[helenazar]

Thanks for the photos, Alan!

[Douglas]

Thats probably the reason they chose to live there for Alexi's health. They were frightened of living in the city with the previous assassinations.

Also, the Empress did not desire to socialize with the St. Petersburg aristocracy.  She preferred a quiet life in the country in the manner of her childhood in Germany.  I hardly blame her. Her husband seems to have agreed.

[rgt9w]

Alan and EmilyLee,

I had enquired about the unpainted section in the semicircular hall. Thanks for answering it for me.

[PAVLOV]

Thank You very much for going to all the trouble, and sharing these your beautiful pictures with us. The Palace looks brand new, fresh and clean.
May I ask a question please. Does anyone know if the wonderful Russian Empire furniture in the Drawing room is original to the Palace ? 

[Alan]

Pavlov,
I read somewhere that the paintings were at Pavlovsk and returned to the AP , under protests from the Pavlovsk Palace Museum.
I think I have seen a old photo and it looks to be the same furniture.
Alan