In the picture, Stanislav Zhukovsky painted the elegant Rozhdestveno Estate, which is situated near Zvenigorod, Moscow Region. The artist masterfully rendered the play of light and shade: The painting shows rays of the rising sun shining on the light-colored walls of the house and reflecting in the high windows.
Zhukovsky captured minute details of the original Empire-style of the manor house: high columns, the portico, the balcony, elements of décor. One can ascertain the pinpoint accuracy of the painter’s work by comparing this landscape with an early 20th-century photo.
Rozhdestveno. The Golitsyns’ Manor House. A photograph. Early 20th century.
Originally, the Rozhdestveno Estate belonged to Ivan Kutaysov, the favorite barber of Emperor Paul I. During the years of his court service, Kutaysov not only received this estate on the high bank of the Istra River but also won the monarch’s benevolence, which contributed to his career growth and earned him a prominent position in society. Contemporaries recalled: “As he navigated across the female little world of the court, he played the role of flesh-peddler there on the sly.” Within a short while, Kutaysov not only was bestowed the position of Grand Equerry but was promoted to nobility.
After Kutaysov’s death, the estate passed on to his daughter, Nadezhda Golitsyna, and then, to his granddaughter. Nadezhda Tolstaya, the wife of Alexander Taneyev, a well-known court official and composer, was the last mistress of the Rozhdestveno Estate.
Zhukovsky captured minute details of the original Empire-style of the manor house: high columns, the portico, the balcony, elements of décor. One can ascertain the pinpoint accuracy of the painter’s work by comparing this landscape with an early 20th-century photo.
Rozhdestveno. The Golitsyns’ Manor House. A photograph. Early 20th century.
Originally, the Rozhdestveno Estate belonged to Ivan Kutaysov, the favorite barber of Emperor Paul I. During the years of his court service, Kutaysov not only received this estate on the high bank of the Istra River but also won the monarch’s benevolence, which contributed to his career growth and earned him a prominent position in society. Contemporaries recalled: “As he navigated across the female little world of the court, he played the role of flesh-peddler there on the sly.” Within a short while, Kutaysov not only was bestowed the position of Grand Equerry but was promoted to nobility.
After Kutaysov’s death, the estate passed on to his daughter, Nadezhda Golitsyna, and then, to his granddaughter. Nadezhda Tolstaya, the wife of Alexander Taneyev, a well-known court official and composer, was the last mistress of the Rozhdestveno Estate.
