Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-13
RuSSIA'S BIG BARN.
me Winter Palace Considere from N
Artistic Point Of yiev.

Artistic Point Of vie~.
The initiative Of the Russians in art and II
civilization IS limited Hitherto they have
dispIayed greater aptitude for copying than
for original conception. and even for their
copies they have had recourse TO western art
ists. particularly TO western architects Ike
Orsarenghi, Rossi and Count RastrelA The
las. is responsible both tor the outside AMI
the inside Of the Winter palace.
This enormous structure was begsn tn lf5..
finished in l7ti2, partly burned In 1851, but
rebuilt in 1888 from the original drawing
II is a broad rectangular block, four stories
or about ~ feet high, with frontage ~
feet in length and breadta OF $50 feet, oue
facade parallel with the Nesa- another look
ing toward the Admiralty. the thsd tacin
the vast Alexander place, and the fourth
blind facade backing up TO the aajoiniis
Hermitage palace. with which It coInInunl
Gates By means Of covered bridge
The proportions OF this palace are not con
mendable; the style Of architecture Is very
bonibastic rocco; the decoration Is over
charged with statues caryatldss, bower pots
greDldes and rruinpery accessories the ciisai ?
srueco surface Of its tacatdes-naerctless :
broken up by pilasters. water sPouts. Al ;
windows - that the eye nowhere hnes ~
u.ise-is washed with a brownlsh red terri.
Gotta color picked out with lighter tone or
yellow The iron roof Is painted red TIE
outside Of this palace Is absolutely without
charm or merit OF any Kind; Its only claim to
notice Is It's immensely which, by the way
according to Russian notions, Is n very con
siderable claim.
The interior Is saddening example 81 til,
bad taste which seems 10 characterize crowns
heads Of all nations, whether the Russian
car. the Turkish sultan, the German emperor
or the British sovereign The ornainentatIpn
is for the most part in rampageous rocallle
style, bright FURNISHED gold on whitewas or
white imitation marble. Our pen absolutely
refuses 10 describe the sham splendor Of tIs
imperial apartments, with their modern
French polished furniture and vile wood
carving, their massive screens elaAi with
purple glass, their wull hansings Of yellow
and white rose and green SATIN
The naachite room, the Pompeiian room,
the Mauresque bath room. likewise failed 10
TRANSPORT US with admiration The corn r
that pleased us best was Peter the Great
throne ROOM Whose walls were hung with s3,t
rel velvet embroidered with golden eagEs-
The St Georges Hall. a parallelogran, l4l
feet by 90 feet adorned with Corinthlall col
umns of real white marble with git has Is
and capitals, is also fine room, perhaE, tlg
finest in the whole palace The White Hal,
the Golden Hall, and the Nicholas Hall a..
chillinGy white SHOW rooms, WHICH requ'7
the animation If the court ceremonies ani
balls and the glitter of lights and DIAMOND
In order to give them picturesque Interest
Finally We may notice the state entrance Il
the palace from the Neva Quay called tAt
Ambassadors Stairo Of white Carrara mar
bic. and the vestIbue, richly decorated al
gilded with Renaissance ornaments ami stat
uary This staircase and the ST, Ge"rse
Hall are the only two parts OF the Winter
Palace that present an aspect Of real gran
deur and ma jesty Theodore Child in Har
pers Magazine.