We are off to eat and drink around the world :)....

[dgbg100106]

Madonna and the Child (The Litta Madonna)
Leonardo da Vinci.
Tempera on canvas. 42x33 cm
Italy. 1490 - 1491
Source of Entry: Collection of Duke Antonio Litta, Milan. 1865

This painting would seem to have been produced in Milan, where the artist moved in 1482. It was one of a number of works to herald the arrival of a new period in art, which was to become known as the High Renaissance. The beautiful woman feeding her child seems to be the epitome of motherhood and motherly love, perceived as perhaps the greatest human value. The composition is simple and balanced, the figures of the Madonna and the Christ child modelled with the finest use of light and shade. Beyond the symmetrical windows lies an endless mountain landscape, recalling the harmony and vastness of all Creation.

Madonna and Child (The Madonna Conestabile)
Raphaello Santi.
Tempera on canvas. 17.5x18 cm
Italy. 1504
Source of Entry: Collection of Count Conestabile, Perugia. 1871

Raphael entered the history of Italian art as the "genius of harmony". The ideals of the High Renaissance were best embodied in his works. The Conestabile Madonna is one of the early works by the master. Despite his still unformed style, the picture is remarkable for its superb composition, the beauty of the linear rhythms, the nobility of the colour harmonies and the perfection of the images - everything which was to be developed to such heights in Raphael's mature work. The transparency of the spring landscape in the distance is in harmony with the image of Mary - young and beautiful like the world which surrounds her. The painting is still in its original frame, decorated with grotesque ornament and evidently made to a design by Raphael himself. Before the painting was transferred from panel to canvas, the frame and the painting formed one united whole.

In 1871 the Russian Tsar Alexander II purchased the painting and presented it as a gift to his wife, Maria Alexandrovna

Next is Crouching Boy it is a sculpture of the great Renaissance Italian painter and sculptor Michelangelo, it is unfinished.

 

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[dgbg100106]

The Alexander Column (Russian: Алекса́ндровская коло́нна, Aleksandrovskaya Kolonna) also known as Alexandrian Column (Russian: Александри́йская коло́нна, Aleksandriyskaya Kolonna), is the focal point of Palace Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The monument was erected after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon's France. Named after Emperor Alexander I, who ruled Russia between 1801 and 1825, the column is an interesting piece of architecture and engineering.

exterior of the Hermitage

 

[Pinkocto]

Everything is just so gorgeous, you could probably go back time and time again and be amazed. How long were you given to be in there?

 

[dgbg100106]

Everything is just so gorgeous, you could probably go back time and time again and be amazed. How long were you given to be in there?

it really is beautiful...

We had 4 hours in there and it was just a highlights tour, there is sooooo much more, I think it would be like trying to see all of the Air and Space museum in a couple of hours... Can't do it

 

[dgbg100106]

General Headquarters of Russian Army, St.Petersburg, Russia

This spectacular, crescent-shaped neoclassical building, most famous for its central triumphal arch, which brings pedestrians out on to Palace Square from Nevsky Prospekt, was designed by renowned St. Petersburg architect Carlo Rossi and completed in 1827. Before the Revolution it housed not only the offices of the General Staff, in the East Wing, but also the Tsarist Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Finance in the West Wing.

Since 1993, the Hermitage has had control of both wings of the building, and uses them to display a variety of permanent exhibitions of applied art connected to the history of the building, completed at the height of the Russian Empire, soon after Russia's victory against Napoleon. An exhibition entitled 'Realms of the Eagle' compares French and Russian decorative art and costume in the Imperial Age, contrasting the cultural influences of Napoleon and Alexander I. Housed in the former offices of the General Staff, many of which have retained their original, Rossi-designed interiors, the collection is not particularly rich, but has a clear and cleverly presented concept, exploring the different ways these two militaristic empires chose to represent themselves.

Also in the former premises of the General Staff, the Museum of Guards is a straightforward exhibition detailing the history of the Russian Imperial Guards through paintings, uniforms, weaponry and regimental regalia. Likely to be of interest only to military historians, this small exhibition does have one particularly interesting room devoted to Guards-related relics returned to Russia since the fall of Communism.

The West Wing of the building is occupied in part by an exhibition dedicated to the pre-Revolutionary Russian Foreign Ministry, which is most interesting for the collection of lavish diplomatic gifts presented to the Russian Imperial Court. The most appealing exhibition in the General Staff Building for most visitors, however, is the Hermitage's permanent collection of Art Nouveau masterpieces. The movement flourished in St. Petersburg, as evidenced by the huge number of superb Style Moderne buildings throughout the city centre, and this beguiling exhibition compares Russian glass and porcelain productions with their French and even American counterparts, as well as including several magnificent tapestries.

Almost a continuation of this exhibition, the final permanent display in the General Staff Building contains panels painted by two French artists, Pierre Bonnard and Maurice Denis, both members of Les Nabis, a movement whose interests paralleled those of Art Nouveau. The works on display here were all commissioned by celebrated Moscow collector Ivan Morozov for his Moscow mansion, and comprise a triptych by Bonnard called The Mediterranean and a series of panels by Denis depicting The History of Psyche.

now we are heading off to lunch.... By this time, my feet are killing me and my belly is trying to eat itself...

This was the bread service, and i must confess that no matter how hungry I was, I could not eat this.... it was so dense I could barley wash down the bite I took...

This was a beet and cabbage soup, I really liked it, it was plain but I love beets and cabbage...

The salad course was pre-made, and already had the dressing on it, it was kind of soggy, I was not impressed...

The main course was beef stroganoff and I forgot to take a picture...

This was a sorbet, like a berry of some sort.. for dessert

After lunch we walk back to the bus...

 

[franandaj]

Wow those pictures are amazing! I am on overload just reading your TR, I can't imagine what it was like to actually LIVE it!

 

[Pinkocto]

That 4 hour experience was all before lunch!? WOW! No wonder your feet hurt, you guys have been on the go nonstop.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm just loving all that artwork at the Hermitage.

Pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

 

[dgbg100106]

Wow those pictures are amazing! I am on overload just reading your TR, I can't imagine what it was like to actually LIVE it!

Trust me... we were on overload too, I think by this time, a 15 minute bus ride was all it took for most of our group to nap...

I could not sleep, I was in one of my bucket list places, I had to make the most of it, soak it all in...

That 4 hour experience was all before lunch!? WOW! No wonder your feet hurt, you guys have been on the go nonstop.

We were really were on the go the whole time...
But it also pushed me to have this surgery, my feet hurt, but this one was killing me, I was living on tylenol, and vodka...

I'm just loving all that artwork at the Hermitage.

Pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

the artwork and sculptures and architecture was just so over the top, it was truly amazing.

 

[Pinkocto]

So you'll be having foot surgery this coming January? Both feet? Was Mr. Boot along with you this whole cruise, I can't remember which TR I saw him in. I'm sorry, I usually can remember most things.

 

[dgbg100106]

So you'll be having foot surgery this coming January? Both feet? Was Mr. Boot along with you this whole cruise, I can't remember which TR I saw him in. I'm sorry, I usually can remember most things.

Pam - Yes, Mr. Boot was here with me, during this trip.... he was so much fun to have along...

Just having one foot operated on, they will remove bone, and use two screws to put in back in the right place...

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh my! They can do amazing things these days with surgery. Will that interfere with your February trips?

In the last few months I've read so many TRs, old and new, that I'm merging info together.

 

[dgbg100106]

Oh my! They can do amazing things these days with surgery. Will that interfere with your February trips?

In the last few months I've read so many TRs, old and new, that I'm merging info together.

Yes they really can do amazing things these days... a year ago this past april, my DH had both big toes removed, cleaned up and put back on and he is better than ever, same guy is doing mine, but two totally different surgeries.

My Feb trip is a cruise to places I have been before, so I am just relaxing most of the time.

Not a lot of walking. My concern is our Machu Picchu trip, I just don't know if I will be able to make it, with all of the recovery time, I will not have time to train for it.

 

[Pinkocto]

Can you postpone the Machu Picchu trip or is it set in stone?

Wow about DH's toes! I'm glad you're in good hands for your surgery.

 

[franandaj]

Not to try and scare you, but when I broke my foot, they went in a put a screw in the foot to secure the bone back in place. That was in early May. I recovered fine in about six weeks, but I had this lingering aching where they put the screw in. After about six months the Doctor said that it had healed and the bone had fused back together. I couldn't take the pain of that screw so they went back in and took it out. I felt a lot better once the screw was gone. If you have a similar problem, it might make your Macchu Picchu trip difficult, I know there is a lot of steps involved there.

This has nothing to do with your surgery, but all about mine. Twelve years later, I have a problem walking more than a mile or so on that foot they operated on. That's why I always get Fran's old hand me down scooter to use in the parks. I find that at DL, if we are just going for dinner, I can walk into and out of New Orleans Square without incident. However, much more walking than that and I am crippled for the next day or two, so I don't want to ruin my trips with one day of a lot of walking, and spending the rest in bed.

 

[dgbg100106]

next on our tour is Yusupov Palace....

Yusupov Palace provides an interesting look at the lives of the aristocracy of the 19th and early 20th century. The palace has exotic rooms such as the Moorish room with its beautiful mosaics and a pool room with a secret compartment under the table. The palace has a wonderful Rococo theater, which seats 180 and is still used for concerts. However, Yusupov Palace is best known as the site of the murder of Grigory Rasputin, the "mad monk" who was killed in December 1916 by Prince Yusupov and others loyal to Nicholas II. They believed Rasputin had a mystical hold over the Empress Alexandra that was damaging the imperial family.

Rasputin was not easy to kill. Prince Yusupov first tried poison, then shot him. He escaped, was pursued by the assassins and shot three more times before being battered and thrown in the Neva River. Rasputin's body was found in the freezing river three days later and an autopsy showed he had drowned. Perhaps he did have mystical powers!

This is the main stair case and cute guard...

Chandelier in Yusupov Palace

Music Room

one of the bedrooms

There told us that the beds are so short because it was believed that if you slept while sitting up that you would be in better health.

This is the round room....

 

[dgbg100106]

next is the game room

Next is the all important red room...

Guess what is next... The Green Room...

Hand-Carved Wooden Inlaid Furniture

We walked into a concert hall, and there was a group of singers here, who sang a folk song for us. The acoustics were supposedly amazing here.

After this we continued on our tour.

 

[Pinkocto]

That Rasputin story is great! This palace is gorgeous in a totally different way than the other place.

 

[dgbg100106]

Next is the Baroque style in the theater.

This is a private residence in the day and they had a theater that could seat about 50 on multiple levels, but the performance was only for the nobility and the Tsars.

This is the Tsar's box

Orchestra pit (very tiny)

Looking back at Tsar box

Stairwell out of the theater

Back into the hallway

We are making our way back down to where Rasputin's quarters were

Winding through the library

This is the dramatization of the night Rasputin was killed.
(or tried to be killed)

The Tsar's family photo

This is a Photo of Grigory Rasputin, the "Mad Monk"

This is the tiny hallway to get down to the quarters....

Another dramatization of the poisoning.

Rasputin was wandering as a pilgrim in Siberia when he heard reports of Tsarevich Alexei's illness. It was not publicly known in 1904 that Alexei had haemophilia, a disease that was widespread among European royalty descended from the British Queen Victoria, who was Alexei's great-grandmother. When doctors could not help Alexei, the Tsaritsa looked everywhere for help, ultimately turning to her best friend, Anna Vyrubova, to secure the help of the charismatic peasant healer Rasputin in 1905. He was said to possess the ability to heal through prayer and was indeed able to give the boy some relief, in spite of the doctors' prediction that he would die. Every time the boy had an injury which caused him internal or external bleeding, the Tsaritsa called on Rasputin, and the Tsarevich subsequently got better. This made it appear that Rasputin was effectively healing him.

The murder of Rasputin has become a legend, some of it invented by the very men who killed him, which is why it has become difficult to discern the actual course of events. On December 16, 1916, having decided that Rasputin's influence over the Tsaritsa had made him a threat to the empire, a group of nobles led by Prince Felix Yusupov and the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich and the right-wing politician Vladimir Purishkevich apparently lured Rasputin to the Yusupovs' Moika Palace by intimating that Yusupov's wife, Princess Irina, would be present and receiving friends. The group led him down to the cellar, where they served him cakes and red wine laced with a massive amount of cyanide. According to legend, Rasputin was unaffected, although Vasily Maklakov had supplied enough poison to kill five men. Conversely, Maria's account asserts that, if her father did eat or drink poison, it was not in the cakes or wine, because after the attack by Guseva he suffered from hyperacidity and avoided anything with sugar. In fact, she expresses doubt that he was poisoned at all. It has been suggested, on the other hand, that Rasputin had developed an immunity to poison due to mithridatism.

Determined to finish the job, Prince Yusupov became anxious about the possibility that Rasputin might live until the morning, leaving the conspirators no time to conceal his body. Yusupov ran upstairs to consult the others and then came back down to shoot Rasputin through the back with a revolver. Rasputin fell, and the company left the palace for a while. Yusupov, who had left without a coat, decided to return to get one, and while at the palace, he went to check on the body. Suddenly, Rasputin opened his eyes and lunged at Yusupov. He grabbed Yusupov and attempted to strangle him. At that moment, however, the other conspirators arrived and fired at Rasputin. After being hit three times in the back, he fell once more. As they neared his body, the party found that, remarkably, he was still alive, struggling to get up. They clubbed him into submission. After binding his body and wrapping him in a carpet, they threw him into the icy Neva River. He broke out of his bonds and the carpet wrapping him, but drowned in the river.

Three days later, Rasputin's body, poisoned, shot four times, badly beaten, and drowned, was recovered from the river. An autopsy established that the cause of death was drowning. It was found that he had indeed been poisoned, and that the poison alone should have been enough to kill him. There is a report that after his body was recovered, water was found in the lungs, supporting the idea that he was still alive before submersion into the partially frozen river.

Subsequently, the Tsaritsa Alexandra buried Rasputin's body in the grounds of Tsarskoye Selo, but after the February Revolution, a group of workers from Saint Petersburg uncovered the remains, carried them into the nearby woods, and burned them. As the body was being burned, Rasputin appeared to sit up in the fire. His apparent attempts to move and get up thoroughly horrified bystanders. The effect can probably be attributed to improper cremation; since the body was in inexperienced hands, the tendons were probably not cut before burning. Consequently, when the body was heated, the tendons shrank, forcing the legs to bend and the body to bend at the waist, resulting in its appearing to sit up. This final happenstance only further fueled the legends and mysteries surrounding Rasputin, which continue to live on long after his death. The official report of his autopsy disappeared during the Joseph Stalin era, as did several research assistants who had seen it.

This is the death picture...