3: The Room of Peter the Great's Winter Palace. The Wax Effigy of Peter the Great

The room where the Wax Effigy of Peter the Great can be seen is located in the part of Peter's Winter Palace originally occupied with the guard-room. The interior decor reflects the tastes of the early 18th century. Peter the Great died in his study situated in the western part of the Winter Palace on 29 January (8 February N.S.) 1725. Immediately after the Emperor's death Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli took wax impressions of his face, hands and feet. In 1725, using the death mask and impressions, Rastrelli made the Wax Effigy of Peter the Great. The figure wears Peter's personal dress. The armchair was produced by the St Petersburg cabinet-maker Piotr Fiodorov. The Wax Effigy, presumably made in conformity with the Emperor's desire, was to be placed in his residence.