Vaulted Passageway
This room was created in 1817according to plans by the architect
Vasily Stasov. The Vaulted Passageway was part of the private
suite of Emperor Alexander I. Prior to 1917, the historical name
of this room was the "Archway Room." The room received
its name from the warped ceiling materials. The Vaulted Passageway
performed an official function and led to the Formal Study of
Alexander I. During the first quarter of the 19th century, the
Emperor's chamberlain occupied the room directly above the Archway
Room on the third floor. During the fire in 1820, the room's decor
was to a large extent damaged. In 1821 - 1822, under the direction
of Vasily Stasov, the interior was returned to its original state.
The walls were covered in imitation white marble by the master
P. Blokhin, the vaults were painted with cupid figures and floral
ornament by the artist F. D. Brandukov. The furnishings were quite
simple and remained almost unchanged throughout the 19th and early
20th centuries. The furniture was produced by the Petersburg furniture
maker Franz Grosse, and restored following the fire at the shops
of Heinrich Gambs. The interior was accented with a clock and
gilded bronze candelabra of French and Russian make.
