Friday, August 07, 2009

St Petersburg On The Amstel

The Hermitage, St Petersburg's legendary museum, has started a partnership with an Amsterdam venue by the Amstel canal. I heard about this on NPR's Art Talk - thanks, dear Edward Goldman! By now, regular readers on AUREA know about my passion for Russia; I actually just spent a couple of weeks re-reading War And Peace. So this weekend, as I am spending a couple of days in Amsterdam, I rushed to see their first lavish, exhibition, and wasn't disappointed.

Many divine items were displayed, especially ball gowns, dress uniforms and all kinds of accessories like silk shoes, spectacular jewelry, feathered fans, exquisite hats. I adore the children's adorable costumes of course... There were also collections of paintings and photographs.
I bought a bunch of postcards (click on the top pic to enlarge) and a Danish novel, The Tsar's Dwarf, about a dwarf who was given as a present to a Russian tsar.
Can you spot my reflection in the poster?

25 comments:

Spangler Cummings said...

So glad you share your enthusiasm for the grandeur of Russia.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

What a fabulous exhibit, I wish I was there, LOL we could have lunch together. What translation of W & P did you read? the '07? (least I think it was '07) The Tsars Dwarf looks like a good read.

Laura in Paris said...

Did you buy this poster to decorate your Venice flat?

Sammi said...

I can indeed spot you in that picture. Looks like you're having an awesome time.

Mary-Laure said...

D MOLL - I read the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa... Larissa... something. I can't remember her last name, shame on me.
I heard that it was an extraordinary translation.
I loved it...

WORLD IN A PAN - no I didn't buy the poster, just took a pic.

SAMMI - it was bliss!

Unknown said...

oh must be an amazing exhibition!!!

J Elaine said...

Those dresses are divine. I am so glad that you had a chance to see such beautiful objects from a culture you revere.

PS You might be the only person capable of reading War and Peace in a mere couple of weeks! Maybe you will treat us to a blog post on the book?!

Mary-Laure said...

J ELAINE - really, all I did was read all day, so it's no big deal.
There will be a post about my summer readings, including War and Peace, in the days to come, so stay tuned.

Sonia said...

your shots are great but what were the colours of all these dresses ...

Marci said...

Me encanta la ropa de época...que preciosidad, se la ve muy bien conservada.
Lo primero que he visto han sido tus sandalias!

Mary-Laure said...

SONIA - they were pretty much white, cream-colored except for the one with the pearls, which was gray.
I didn't post any pics of the dresses that were more colorful, because the colors didn't come out well.

MARCI - si, son MUY bien conservadas, que increible, no?

Taocito said...

Wow, I am a big fan!
I am glad you came to visit us in Amsterdam. I was happy to show you my lovely buzz cut. Did you enjoy the rijstaffel?

I believe my mistress is a big fan of these dresses and is considering one for her first wedding. Perhaps you could get her that for her birthday?

Arlene said...

The costumes are gorgeous. I remember years ago going to the Armand Hammer Museum to see an exhibit on Catherine the Great. Truly amazing. They even had a couple of her Faberge eggs. Thanks for sharing these.

Hila said...

oh how beautiful! We had a similar exhibition come to Perth a few years ago. I went with my mother and we oohed and ahhed at everthing, especially the ballet costumes.

I read war and peace during summer holidays in high school. Yes, even then I was a nerd.

Kira Aderne said...

just beautiful, very rich details!!

Giulia said...

Lovely, Marie-Laure.

It is a fabulous translation (as is their Anna Karenina)...no wonder it was so difficult to read before!

the other translator, Larissa Volokhonsky. Not exactly on the tip of one's fingers, eh? AK happens to be on my desk at moment. Well, the book anyway.:)

Looking forward to your follow-ups. I have also been reading more than usual. Which is saying something. So back to it.

xoSusan

Joyce said...

A beautiful exhibit! I like the reflection in the window. xoxo

Sam said...

The Hermitage is one of those museums on my listof things to see before I die - these clothes are out of this world amazing!! Thank you!!

Dive Boracay said...

Aw! Those ball dresses were very classic and elegant. The museum has very interesting items to show. This is something worth to visit.

Building a home said...

Those are stunning dresses. I would love to visit this museum someday. Thanks for posting this.

Hey Harriet said...

A lovely looking exhibit! And yes, I can see your reflection in the poster. That's neat!

Betsy said...

Kiss you, the darling....

Painting Antique Furniture said...

Thanks a lot for these wonderful article that you share. :) thumbs up!

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