Peter I (1672–1725) is one of Russian history’s most vibrant and remarkable figures. A transformational tsar, he was the founder of the Russian Empire and the city of St Petersburg, a ruler who firmly established a place for Russia in the international arena, expanded the country’s borders, and reformed the army, navy, social structure, public administration, culture, and church. His efforts led to Russia becoming a great world power, having “entered Europe like a newly launched ship, to the thump of an axe and thunder of cannons” (Alexander Pushkin).

The deeds of Peter the Great, as well as the personality of the first Emperor of Russia, were the subject of creative contemplation even during his lifetime. Subsequent rulers, calling upon the figure of the great reformer of Rus, would indubitably assert that they were continuing his legacy. In the 18th century, artists would often express themselves in the language of allegory. In the 19th century, as the science of history progressed, they increasingly emphasized accurate representation of events and a realistic depiction of the historical conditions. Academic publications about Peter the Great by Ivan Golikov, Nikolai Ustryalov and Sergei Solovyov, based on archival documents, served as sources for themes. Realistic everyday details were gleaned from the descriptions of clothing and weapons of Russian troops and from historical interiors that had been preserved. 

Undoubtedly, one of Peter’s main achievements, a visible symbol of his reforms, is the founding in 1703 of the new capital of the Russian Empire, St Petersburg. There are numerous works dedicated to this event. Among them are three that are shown here for the first time together, by Alexei Venetsianov, Alexander Ivanov and Grigory Chernetsov, painted in 1836 for Anatoly Demidov’s painting competition. The task was to depict Peter while “pondering one of his deep, monumental-scale ideas of the kind that elevated our splendid Motherland to the summit of its glorious might”, and all three competitors chose to portray the founding of the city on the banks of the Neva River. 

Yet another notable occurrence that is inextricably connected to building St Petersburg is the relocation of the remains of Right-Believing St Alexander Nevsky from the Monastery of the Nativity in Vladimir to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St Petersburg (1723). This was depicted in various fine art forms and genres. One example is Pyotr Basin’s decoration of St Isaac’s Cathedral (the preparatory sketches for which are on display) and the bronze doors of the cathedral by Ivan Vitali (a plaster model of one of the reliefs is exhibited). An example of decorative and applied art that symbolically illustrated the relocation of the remains is a silver sculpture completed for the 200th anniversary of the Russian Navy (France, 1896).

Peter’s military campaigns have been an example for sovereigns and an inspiration for artists. Among the battle scenes are the recapture of the Oreshek Fortress, the taking of Narva, the Battle of Lesnaya, and, of course, the most important engagement of the war with the Swedes – the Battle of Poltava. It is shown in a sketch by Vasily Shebuev for one of the six canvases that decorate the Resurrection Hall of St Michael’s Castle, which were commissioned by Paul I to commemorate the most important events in Russian history. Alongside Peter’s triumphant victories, the historical paintings also include a version of the Pruth River Campaign, in which the Russian tsar had to enter into complex negotiations and make significant concessions in order to maintain his army.

19th-century artists created their own visual iconography for Peter’s childhood and youth – historical moments in which the future first emperor of Russia most clearly manifested his decisiveness and power of will. Peter’s first foreign journey as part of the Grand Embassy, his stay in Holland and his work on the wharfs as a simple carpenter, was a constant topic of interest. The vibrant image of the tsar as carpenter, blacksmith, and shipbuilder repeatedly appeared in paintings, graphic works, and sculptures by both Russian and European masters.

In addition to actual historical events, artworks took ideas from legends in oral tradition and literature. One of the most common, imbued with deep allegorical meaning, was Peter’s brave rescue of drowning men. These works incorporated vivid images of the waves, sailing ships, and the heroic feat of saving people.

In celebrating the 350th anniversary of Peter the Great’s birth, the Russian Museum pays tribute to the memory of the great emperor’s achievements. Individual works of historical or artistic interest were lent to the exhibition by the Peterhof State Museum and Reserve, the Military History Museum of Artillery (St Petersburg), the Tretyakov Gallery and the State Historical Museum (Moscow). We are particularly grateful to the private collectors who agreed to lend their pieces to the exhibition.