Eduard Petrovich Gau was born in 1807 in Revel (now the city of Tallinn) and was a Russian citizen. He was engaged in drawing from childhood and in 1830-1832 he studied painting at the Dresden Academy of Arts at his own expense.
View of the Rotunda in the Winter Palace
In 1838 (or 1836) the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Arts awarded him the title of non-class artist and a silver medal. In 1854 (or in 1864) Eduard Petrovich was awarded the title of academician of perspective watercolor painting.
View of the Cathedral in the Winter Palace
The artist is best known for his watercolors of the interiors of famous buildings in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Gatchina, commissioned by the imperial family, although several portraits by him are also known.
Types of halls Winter Palace. Alexander Hall
In Moscow, he painted the interiors of the Bolshoi Kremlin Palace, Nicholas Palace; in St. Petersburg - the Mikhailovsky Castle, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, in Gatchina - the interiors of the Grand Gatchina Palace.
Only in the Gatchina Palace he painted 59 watercolors, some of which were kept in the palace collection until the 1920s, and only then was transferred to the Hermitage.
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Apollo Hall
In Gatchina, Gau first appeared in 1862 to create watercolors with views of the offices of Nicholas I and Alexander II, and continued to work in the palace only in 1874.
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. White living room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Gatchina watercolors represent special value, since the Great Gatchina Palace was completely burned down during the Great Patriotic War retreating German troops, and these paintings serve as valuable material in the restoration of the interiors of the palace.
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Library of Emperor Alexander II
The artist worked with watercolors using the washdown technique. His paintings are made with great skill - the exact construction of perspective, the drawing of details is very thorough.
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Library of Emperor Alexander II (2)
The last works of the artist were made in the Great Gatchina Palace and celebrated in 1880.
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Billiard room of Emperor Alexander II
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Large living room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Large living room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Large study of Emperor Nicholas I
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Grand Field Marshal's Hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Boudoir of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Boudoir of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Bathroom of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Bathroom of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Military Library of Emperor Alexander II
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. military gallery 1812
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second spare half. Second hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second spare half. Living room
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second spare half. small office
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second spare half. First hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second spare half. Bedroom
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Second Hall of the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Dressing room of Emperor Alexander II
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Armorial Hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Living room in the second rococo style
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Gothic living room of the Grand Duchesses
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Guard Divorce Hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Council Hall of Emperor Alexander I
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Winter Garden Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Cabinet of Emperor Alexander II
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Cabinet of Emperor Alexander II (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Cabinet of Emperor Alexander II (3)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Study of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Study of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Valet of Emperor Alexander II
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Raspberry Cabinet of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Small Field Marshal's Hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Large office led. book. Maria Nikolaevna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Grand saloon
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Living room of Duke M. Leuchtenberg
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Yellow saloon led. book. Maria Nikolaevna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Office of Duke M. Leuchtenberg
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Small office led. book. Maria Nikolaevna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Salon of Duke M. Leuchtenberg
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Bedroom led. book. Maria Nikolaevna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Dressing led. book. Maria Nikolaevna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. First spare half. Dressing room of Duke M. Leuchtenberg
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. The first hall of the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Transition from the Small Field Marshal's Hall to the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Petrovsky hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. picket hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Reception of the heir, Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fifth spare half. Living room led. Princess Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fifth spare half. Cabinet led. Princess Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fifth spare half. Bedroom led. Princess Maria Alexandrovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fifth Hall of the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Bedroom of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Bedroom of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Third Hall of the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Third spare half. Living room
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Third spare half. Living room (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Third spare half. Bedroom
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Third spare half. fourth room
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Dressing room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Dressing room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Study room in the second spare half of the palace
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Flashlight
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. church stairs
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. Living room
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. Cabinet
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. Corridor
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. Bedroom
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. dressing room
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. corner hall
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth spare half. Corner hall (2)
Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Fourth Hall of the Military Gallery
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Eastern gallery
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Gallery of St. Petersburg Views
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Winter Garden
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Cabinet
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Cabinet of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. pavilion hall
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Romanov Gallery
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Romanov Gallery (2)
Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Bedroom of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Top landing of stairs
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Gallery of the history of ancient painting
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Hall of the Dutch and Flemish Schools
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Spanish School Hall
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Hall Italian schools
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Hall of Cameos
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. German school hall
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. German School Hall (2)
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Russian school hall
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Russian school hall (2)
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Hall Flemish school
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Hall of the Flemish School (2) Views of the halls of the New Hermitage. Empress's office
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Empress's office
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Cabinet of Italian Schools
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Cabinet of Italian Schools (2
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Cabinet of Italian Schools (3)
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Cabinet of Italian Schools (4)
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Cabinet of the Flemish School
Types of halls of the New Hermitage. Main staircase. 2nd floor area
I have already brought to your attention watercolors of the interiors of the Winter Palace, by Luigi Premazzi. Today, I'm starting a series of posts, dedicated to creativity Edward Petrovich Hau.
I'll start with the interiors in which Nicholas 1 lived, his wife Alexandra Fedorovna, and other family members.
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Large Study of Emperor Nicholas I".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Bathroom of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Bedchamber of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Boudoir of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Dressing Room of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Winter Garden of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna."
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The White Drawing Room of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Study of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Large Drawing Room of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna".
The interiors of the Winter Palace, where the daughter of Nicholas 1 and Alexandra Feodorovna, Maria Nikolaevna, lived.
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Yellow Salon of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Small Study of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Bedroom of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Dressing Room of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Large Study of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna".
The interiors of the Winter Palace, where the son-in-law of Nicolas 1, Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, lived.
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment Dressing Room of Duke M Leuchtenberg".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Study of Duke M Leuchtenberg".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Salon of Duke M Leuchtenberg".
"Interiors of the Winter Palace. The First Reserved Apartment. The Drawing Room of Duke M Leuchtenberg".
Since 1845, the Mariinsky Palace, named after Maria Nikolaevna, has become the official residence of the Leuchtenberg princes in St. Petersburg.
"Blue Drawing Room in the Mariinsky Palace".
Eduard Petrovich (Ivanovich) Gau (1807, Revel-1887) - Russian artist, watercolorist. Eduard Petrovich Gau was born in 1807 in Reval (now the city of Tallinn) and "was a Russian citizen." He was engaged in drawing from childhood and in 1830-1832 he studied painting at the Dresden Academy of Arts at his own expense. In 1838 (or 1836) the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Arts awarded him the title of non-class artist and a silver medal. In 1854 (or in 1864) Eduard Petrovich was awarded the title of academician of perspective watercolor painting.
The artist is best known for his watercolors of the interiors of famous buildings in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Gatchina, commissioned by the imperial family, although several portraits by him are also known. In Moscow, he painted the interiors of the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Nicholas Palace; in St. Petersburg - the Mikhailovsky Castle, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, in Gatchina - the interiors of the Grand Gatchina Palace. In Gatchina, Gau first appeared in 1862 to create watercolors with views of the offices of Nicholas I and Alexander II, and continued to work in the palace only in 1874. Gatchina watercolors are of particular value, since the Great Gatchina Palace was completely burned during the Great Patriotic War by the retreating German troops, and these paintings serve as valuable material when restoring the interiors of the palace. The artist worked with watercolors using the washdown technique. His paintings are made with great skill - the exact construction of perspective, the drawing of details is very thorough.
The last works of the artist were made in the Great Gatchina Palace and celebrated in 1880.
Eduard Petrovich (Ivanovich) Gau (1807, Revel-1887) - Russian artist, watercolorist.
He was born in 1807 in Revel (now the city of Tallinn) and "consisted of Russian citizenship." He was engaged in drawing from childhood and in 1830-1832 he studied painting at the Dresden Academy of Arts at his own expense. Further, his training took place in the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy Arts, where he was awarded the title of non-class artist and awarded a silver medal. Later, Eduard Petrovich was awarded the title of academician of perspective watercolor painting.
Eduard Petrovich (Ivanovich) Gau (1807, Revel - 1887)
The artist is best known for his watercolors of the interiors of famous buildings in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Gatchina, commissioned by the imperial family, although several portraits by him are also known.
Alexander or Front Hall. Built in the Winter Palace according to the project of the architect Bryullov (brother famous artist) in the second quarter XIX century in memory of Emperor Alexander I
In Moscow, he painted the interiors of the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Nicholas Palace; in St. Petersburg - the Mikhailovsky Castle, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, in Gatchina - the interiors of the Grand Gatchina Palace. Only in the Gatchina Palace he painted 59 watercolors, some of which were kept in the palace collection until the 1920s, and only then was transferred to the Hermitage.
The Apollo Hall was made in accordance with the then fashionable passion for ancient culture.
In Gatchina, Gau first appeared in 1862 to create watercolors with views of the offices of Nicholas I and Alexander II, and continued to work in the palace only in 1874. Gatchina watercolors are of particular value, since the Great Gatchina Palace was completely burned during the Great Patriotic War by the retreating German troops, and these paintings serve as valuable material when restoring the interiors of the palace.
Armorial hall. Until the 30s of the 19th century, balls were held in the premises. After a fire in the 1930s, the hall was recreated by the architect Stasov in the Russian style - with sculptures of soldiers holding the coats of arms of Russian provinces.
pavilion hall
The artist worked with watercolors using the washdown technique. His paintings are made with great skill - the exact construction of perspective, the drawing of details is very thorough.
Petrovsky hall
The long 80-year life of the artist (he died in 1887), perhaps, can be called successfully in many respects. However, he did not amass wealth, although, it would seem, he could well. And after his death, the widow Emilia Gau and her adopted daughter were forced to ask the St. Petersburg Academy for financial assistance. The Academy provided a lump sum allowance, but refused a permanent pension. However, there are many such examples throughout Russian history.
picket hall
However, one way or another, the watercolors of Eduard Hau outlived many of the interiors of the palaces depicted on them, and then more than once helped the restorers. Still, those who say that a truly talented painting allows you to keep even the running time are right.
Grand Field Marshal's Hall
Field Marshal's Hall, which housed portraits of Russian field marshals. Designed by architect Auguste Montferrand (builder of St. Isaac's Cathedral). After a fire in the 1930s, it was rebuilt by the Russian architect Stasov (great-uncle of the famous Bolshevik). After the revolution, the portraits were taken out of the hall as a symbol of reactionary tyranny. In the XXI century they were returned back.
Small Field Marshal's Hall
Hall of the Guards
The first hall of the Military Gallery
Second Hall of the Military Gallery
Third Hall of the Military Gallery
Hall of Soviets of Emperor Alexander I
Large study of Emperor Nicholas I
office of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I
large living room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
White living room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
bedroom of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
bathroom of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
dressing room of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Raspberry cabinet of Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Emperor Nicholas I, because of which the Soviet-Ukrainian folk hero Taras Shevchenko was exiled to the soldiers.
living room of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Bedroom of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna - daughter Russian emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna. She married the son of British Queen Victoria
cabinet Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna
boudoir of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna
The large office of Maria Nikolaevna, daughter of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who was considered the first mistress of the Mariinsky Palace in St. Petersburg. Married to the Duchess of Leuchtenberg. She married Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, son of Josephine and stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte. The last descendant of the family - Sergei Romanovsky, Prince of Leuchtenberg, participant white movement, died in Italy in the mid-70s.
small study of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna
Yellow Salon of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna's bedroom
living room of Duke Maximilian of Leichenberg
office of Duke Maximilian of Leichenberg
Military Library of Emperor Alexander II
Library of Emperor Alexander II.
It included: 1. Collection of publications in part military literature in Russian and foreign languages, maps, plans, drawings, models, etc.
2. Collection of albums with portraits of members imperial family, as well as foreign crowned heads and individuals, as well as albums with views of the Imperial Palaces and different cities, albums of military, railway, anniversary, etc.
3. Secret archive containing acts and documents of the Imperial Family.
4. Materials for the biography of Emperor Nicholas I.
5. Reports of the Ministries and Head Offices, with maps, plans and drawings.
6. Things, letters, books and other items of memoirs of the imperial family.
7. Archive of the former Military Camping Office of Alexander II.
Cabinet of Emperor Alexander II
Valet of Emperor Alexander II
billiard room of Emperor Alexander II
Gothic living room of the Grand Duchesses. Such living rooms were considered the latest fashion in the middle of the 19th century in Europe.
rococo living room
reception room of the heir, Grand Duke Alexander
The bedroom of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, the eldest son of Emperor Alexander II, who died of tuberculous meningitis at the age of 21
Cabinet of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich,
eldest son of Emperor Alexander II
First spare half. Grand saloon
Second spare half. First hall
Second spare half. Second hall
Second spare half. Living room
Second spare half. study room
Third spare half. Living room
Third spare half. Living room 2
Third spare half. Bedroom
Third spare half. fourth room
Fourth spare half. Cabinet
Fourth spare half. Living room
Fourth spare half. Bedroom
Fourth spare half. dressing room
Types of halls of the new Hermitage
Types of halls of the new Hermitage. Russian school hall
Types of halls of the new Hermitage. Hall of the Dutch and Flemish Schools
Types of the new Hermitage. Hall of Spanish Schools
Types of halls of the new Hermitage. Hall of Italian Schools
Types of halls of the new Hermitage. Hall of Italian Schools
Types of halls of the new Hermitage. Hall of German Schools
Types of new halls of the Hermitage. Empress's office
Winter Garden
View of the small church in the Winter Palace
church stairs
View of the rotunda in the Winter Palace
View of the Cathedral in the Winter Palace
Romanov Gallery
Romanov Gallery
I am very grateful for the material for this post.
Vladimir Ivanovich GAU (1816–1895), court painter, academician, one of the leading masters of watercolor portrait painting first in Russia half of XIX century. His name is on a par with such masters who worked in this genre as Pyotr Sokolov and the brothers Alexander and Karl Bryullov.
Watercolor portrait - one of the most elegant forms of art. He attracts with the transparency and lightness of writing, intimacy and, especially, with the general poetry of the artistic and figurative structure.
In the first half of the 19th century, the watercolor portrait became widespread and became part of the everyday culture of Russian society. 
IN AND. Gau. Self-portrait. 1855
Vladimir Ivanovich Gau was born on February 4, 1816 in Revel in the family of an artist who painted landscapes and theatrical scenery. He received his first drawing skills from his father, then took lessons from the former court painter Karl von Kugelchen. Thanks to his tutelage, Gau began to receive commissions for portraits already in his youth. But real success fell to his lot when in 1832, at the age of sixteen, he had the opportunity to paint portraits of the Grand Duchesses. At the same time, he successfully completed a portrait of the famous navigator F. Litke. The customer was satisfied with his portrait and, obviously, through the mediation of Kugelchen, presented Gau to the court. 
Portrait of a young woman, 1837
The portraits of the Grand Duchesses were liked by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who took the artist under her protection.
Gau handed letter of recommendation to the professor of the Imperial Academy of Arts Alexander Sauerweid, and in the same 1832 he received a large silver medal and the title of a non-class artist. 
Portrait of N.A. Durova. 1837
However, early portraits do not yet portend a brilliant and flawless Gau. But in 1838 he went abroad, as was customary in the practice of academic training, and it was there that he rapidly evolved, becoming an absolutely established master of the European level with an individual style. Returning to Russia in 1840, he received the position of court painter. 
Portrait of A. A. Olenina. 1839
The 1840s are the happiest and most fruitful period of his work. He paints numerous portraits of Nicholas the First, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Grand Duchesses, gives drawing lessons to members of the imperial family, and becomes an academician. 
Portrait of Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna. c.1840
Portrait of Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich. 1841
Portrait of Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna.
The watercolor portrait did not belong exclusively to Russian culture. At every European court watercolors worked. Gau was guided by the German school. Gau's immediate teachers were artists from the Baltic states, Gau himself was a German by birth. 
Princess V. Golitsina.
Among the numerous "high society" watercolors, a series of portraits of actresses from the Imperial Theater stands out. 
Portrait of A. M. Stepanova as Peka. 1837
Portrait of actress V.N. Asenkova. 1838
Portrait of an actress in oriental costume.
Brushes V.I. Gau owns six portraits of Natalia Nikolaevna Pushkina. 
Natalia Nikolaevna Pushkina - 1841
N.N. Pushkin. 1842 Museum of A.S. Pushkin. Brodzyany.
N.N. Pushkin - Lanskaya. 1844
N.N. Pushkin - Lanskaya. 1844 Foreign private collection.
N. N. Pushkin - Lanskaya 1849
N. N. Lanskaya. 1849 Watercolor made for the album of the Horse Guards Regiment.
General P.P. Lanskoy. 1849
The best portraits V. Hau are distinguished by their impeccable execution. The artist strives for absolute completeness of images: ladies in portraits are always beautiful, military men are distinguished by impeccable bearing, children are charming, blush and golden-haired.
Countess Beloselskaya - Belozerskaya.
A.A. Stolypin. M. Lermontov's cousin.
Portrait of Olga, Maria and Evgenia Gau, the artist's daughters. 1850
Portrait of Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel. 1844
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, Duchess of Leuchtenberg with her children, Nikolai and Maria.
Portrait of an unknown from the grand-ducal family. 1848
Portrait of Alexander Mordvinov, 1846
Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
Lady near the piano. 1846
V. I. Gau was the leading master of portrait watercolor for three decades. He was imitated by many masters, his originals were used for engravings and lithographs. The artist's work determined the development watercolor portrait in the years 1840-1860, until this genre was almost completely supplanted by more accessible photography.
According to the magazine "Our Heritage" ...
Behind last decade this is the third exhibition of works by the artist E. Hau. The first was organized in 1997, when the watercolors were returned from Pavlovsk, where they were kept after the Great Patriotic War and were virtually unavailable. Today, E. Hau's watercolors are often illustrated in various Gatchina guidebooks and art books. And this is no coincidence, because. 59 watercolors have preserved for us not only the image of magnificent interiors, but also provide an opportunity to see the Gatchina Palace as it was and as it should be revived in the near future.Many artists captured Imperial Gatchina in their works. So well known, and they are constantly in the exposition of the palace, are the classic panoramas of S. Shchedrin's park, the documentary clear landscapes of J. Mettenleiter and military parades on the canvases of G. Schwartz. But Eduard Petrovich Gau made for our city, one might say, a "royal" gift: he created a whole watercolor suite glorifying and glorifying unique monument Arts - Gatchina Palace. If old buildings have a soul, then Eduard Hau preserved it with the power of his talent from destruction and time of oblivion.
In art, as in life, it often happens that the work and talent of many people remains unappreciated at its true worth. While preparing the first exhibition, I was struck by the meager information about the life of the artist and his work. It is known that the artist was born in 1807 in Reval and "consisted of Russian citizenship." As a child, he studied drawing, and then graduated from the Dresden Academy of Arts at his own expense. After returning to Russia, E. Hau was awarded the title of "Academician perspective painting"as determined by the Council of the St. Petersburg Academy. As a result, he began to receive orders from the imperial family: he painted "portraits" of the interiors of the Grand Kremlin, Nikolaevsky, Mikhailovsky, Winter Palaces and the Hermitage. By the way, some of these watercolors were kept in Gatchina Palace, only then was transferred to the Hermitage.
The image of the interior belongs to the genre of perspective painting. In the 19th century, writing "the insides of rooms" became very fashionable. This was done as professional artists, and amateurs, drawing for the pleasure of relatives and friends in home albums. The interiors of buildings are not only a reflection of their time, but also a story about those who live in them, their tastes, interests, prosperity, i.e. as if "an indirect portrait of the owners."
For the first time, E. Gau came to Gatchina in 1862 to paint watercolors with views of the offices of Nicholas I and Alexander II. In the Gatchina Palace, the emperors' offices are special rooms with their own inner world where only a select few were allowed. Moreover, since the time of Paul I, these offices were located in the towers on the 1st floor. The office of Paul I was located in the Clock Tower of the main building, in a suite of so-called "private rooms". Among archival documents and even pre-war photographs, E. Gau's watercolors depicting these rooms are the most valuable iconographic material for restoration. Today, these rooms house an exhibition of weapons, and part of the exposition is dedicated to Paul I. Reproductions from Hau's watercolors hung on the walls help to understand how the emperor's private rooms looked like and to verify the authenticity of the exhibits: this is a marble bas-relief of Paul I by M.-A. Collo, students of the famous Falcone, favorite paintings of the emperor, folding camp table and chair, uniform, bible, etc.
E. Gau saw these rooms - the "holy of holies" only 10 years later, when he continued to work in the palace and had already painted more than a dozen watercolors. Private rooms were turned into a kind of memorial to the memory of Paul I and there was a "verbal command of the Sovereign without special permission not to let anyone in." In 1833, by order of Nicholas I, a camp bed, a screen, a uniform and even a bloody shirt of the emperor were brought to the Oval Office-bedroom next to the tower office - these silent witnesses of the murder in the Mikhailovsky Castle on March 11, 1801. But to compare the offices of 3 emperors: Paul I, Nicholas I, Alexander II - father, son and grandson, you can only visit the opened exhibition of watercolors. You will see that Nicholas I, imitating Paul I, also slept on a narrow camp bed. Alexander II, just like his father, hung lithographs and engravings depicting uniforms of various military branches on the walls of his office, but as a passionate hunter, he also decorated his apartments with numerous animal figurines, stuffed animals and portraits of his beloved dog - the English setter Milord. It should be noted that the only living creature in the entire Gatchina series of watercolors by E. Hau is this dog lying on the carpet in the owner's office.
The special value of the artist's watercolors lies, first of all, in the fact that they can be used to compile a textbook on the history of the interior with mid-eighteenth century and almost late XIX century, from the time of the owner Gatchina Palace Grigory Orlov to Alexander II. The halls of the central building of the palace are an example of the classicism style, and the enfilades of rooms, galleries of the Arsenal square are the so-called "historicism" with its multi-style and imitation of the style of past centuries. For example, a romantic passion for medieval Gothic was embodied in the interiors of the Gothic, Chinese and Japanese galleries. "Second Rococo" or style "in the style of Pompadour" favorite of the French king Louis XV - a variety of living rooms, boudoirs, bedrooms, offices.
IN mid-nineteenth centuries, when they abandoned the division into front and living quarters, decorations began to play a decisive role in the interior. Numerous furniture began to be arranged, forming cozy corners for work, rest, and conversation. Soft "quilted" furniture, upholstered in silk fabrics with bright floral patterns, was very cozy. Some of the sofas had a table or a jardinière for flowers, and a bathtub was hidden under the other... The furniture was made on wheels and could easily be moved over soft carpets. In the rooms there are many small chests, cabinets, bookcases, an abundance of draperies, trinkets, and here porcelain from famous European factories and bronze.
In the kaleidoscope of E. Hau's watercolors, the charming "calico" rooms of Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II, stand out in particular. Their walls and furniture are upholstered in waxed Chinz chintz, the forerunner of washable wallpaper. Light blue and light pink chintz with colorful bouquets of flowers gives the rooms the look of a spring blooming garden. You can also see samples of these fabrics in showcases at the exhibition.
One of the artist's watercolors shows a whole suite of rooms: a blue bedroom, a green study, yellow and red living rooms and, at the end, a window overlooking the park. Here, as in other watercolors, E.P. Gau uses the method of building a perspective, when the vanishing point goes through the doors of the rooms into the depths. I am simply fascinated by the miniature landscapes of the park, the White Lake, which the artist draws in the windows of the premises, and they are genuine!
It should be noted that the watercolors of E. Hau are united by high technical skill: this is an accurate construction of perspective, careful drawing of details, skill watercolor technique. Working with watercolor in the hillshade technique, when repeated coating with color - layer by layer, enhancing the tonality, is very difficult, and you can not make a mistake, rewrite. There is an assumption that E. Hau, like other perspective artists, used optical devices such as a camera obscura (a prototype of a camera). Even so, painting watercolors is still a lot of work. If at first the artist created a small number of sheets, 3-4 per year, then ten. All watercolors of the Gatchina series are signed and have the date of creation on them.
Eduard Petrovich Gau lived long life up to 80 years old. However, after his death, the widow Emilia Gau with adopted daughter, not having sufficient funds, were forced to ask the St. Petersburg Academy for financial assistance. I found documents in the archive, where the Academy, noting the merits of the artist, allocated a one-time allowance, but refused a pension, referring to the fact that "Eduard Hau was not in the service of the Academy."
Today we are immensely grateful wonderful artist. And it is a pity that later there was no such master who would capture the interiors of the time Alexander III. Their restoration would have gone much more successfully at the present time ...
