9: The Walnut Study

This room retains its unique decor created between 1716 and 1719 in walnut brought from Persia. The wall covering takes the form of elements of architectural decor (composite panels are framed by the pilasters that support the entablature) and is enhanced by gilded ornament. The ceiling painting (Philippe Pillement, 1717-18), executed on canvas, was restored in 1991. It conceals two layers of earlier paintings directly on the ceiling. A fragment of the second layer with cupids and garlands of flowers can be seen above the stove. Above a cabinet decorated with ebony, tortoiseshell and gilded bronze fittings (Flanders, second half of the 17th century) is a portrait of Peter the Great (1697) by Jan Weenix. The visitor's attention is inevitably drawn to the walnut long-case clock (England, the Fromanteel and Clark company, 1690s-1710s) that is said to have belonged to Peter's cabinet secretary Alexei Makarov.