The Enlightened Empress

The Hostess of the Palace
"The richness and splendour of the Russian court exceed the most extravagant descriptions. Traces of ancient Asian magnificence are mixed with European refinement. A huge suite of courtiers either follow or precede the Empress. The luxurious and brilliant court apparel is decorated with an abundance of precious stones and is much more splendid than at any other European court... Of all the luxury articles of the Russian nobility we foreigners are most amazed by the wealth of precious stones shining on different parts of their costumes... Many of the noblemen are almost studded with diamonds." Thus wrote the English traveller and historian William Cox, who visited the receptions at the Winter Palace.

Compared with the luxury of life at court, Catherine's personal needs were modest as she intentionally emphasized. State secretary Gribovsky, who described the last ten years of Catherine's reign, mentions that she wore a plain loose dress of grey or violet silk. The Empress put on orders and jewellery only at formal receptions, and her brocade or velvet dresses were made in the same comfortable cut. She introduced the fashion of wearing Russian-style dresses at court and used elements of the national costume in her attire.

"My day is carefully scheduled," Catherine wrote in a letter to Mme Joffrin. In winter on ordinary days the Empress got up at 6 a.m. and spent the next three hours in the mirrored study, where she was engaged in the most serious work - literary activities, editing draft laws and acts of the state. At this time she drank very strong coffee, while the rich cream, sponge-cakes and sugar served for breakfast were given to her favourite Italian greyhounds.

After 9 a.m. the Empress withdrew to her bedroom and for the next three hours she heard reports. In the afternoon her grandsons came "to wish her a good day". Till dinner time Catherine II read or made copies of cameos, and after dinner she dealt with her foreign correspondence. At 6 p.m. she had an evening gathering in her rooms or visited a performance in the Hermitage Theatre. Her guests left her after 9 p.m. and at 11 p.m. the Empress was already asleep. Such was her regular schedule. Added to this on holidays were receptions, balls and masquerades.

In summer Catherine II lived in her favourite summer palace at Tsarskoye Selo (the Tsar's Village), where her usual time-table was preserved, though her early morning work was replaced by walks in the park. Her mode of life was governed by strict order based on self-discipline, amazing diligence and sense of responsibility for the fate of the huge state.

Monogram of Catherine the Great
St Petersburg
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Catherine's Full-dress Apparel of the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment
St Petersburg
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Chessmen
Master Adrian Sukhanov
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Empress Catherine the Great Strolling in the Park of Tsarskoye Selo
Nikolai Utkin
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