The "true" color of the Winter Palace
Description:
Disputes about the color of the facades of the Winter Palace is absurd, because during its existence the palace has been repainted many times. Under different owners, the building was painted almost every time in a new way. But modern green and blue flowers have never existed.
In its present form, the palace has been known since 1762. It was then that architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli completed his work. Since then, the appearance of the building, with all the elements of decor, has not changed. And became almost "canonical" for the style of lush Baroque. But the colors in which the facades were painted during numerous repairs and restorations have changed many times.
Now it seems incredible that the original palace was yellow. And for decades, only shades have changed. From lighter to darker. Moreover, yellow became the main color for the General Staff building, built in 1829. Since, according to the plan of the architect Karl Rossi, all the buildings of the Palace Square had to harmonize with each other.
However, the whims of the monarchs, who later lived in the winter residence, did not allow to preserve the original decision.
The later building remained yellow, but the Winter Palace has repeatedly radically changed its color.
1762 - the first inhabitant of the palace Catherine II settled in a building painted in bright yellow.
1799 - During the reign of Paul I, the color of the palace was preserved, but became much more intense.
In 1840, under Nicholas I, a fire broke out in the palace. After renovation, the building was painted in the color of ivory.
1870 - in the era of global transformations of Alexander II once again renewed and the Winter Palace - the color has not changed, but its saturation increased.
1885 - under Alexander III, the palace once again changed its color. Now it's almost brown.
1905 - The last Russian Emperor Nicholas II preferred red-brown colors. And the building changed its shape again.
1947 - a special commission of architects and builders after discussions proposed to paint the Winter Palace with natural lime colors: the walls - in emerald-blue color, columns, cornices and window frames - in white, and stucco decor - golden ocher in bronze.
