From the 1760s the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tzars. Magnificently located on the bank of the Neva River, this Baroque-style palace is perhaps the major attraction of St. Petersburg. Many visitors also know it as the main building of the Hermitage Museum. The green-and-white three-storey palace is truly impressive: it has 1786 doors, 1945 windows and 1057 halls and rooms, many of which are open to the publicl The Baroque Winter Palace was built in 1754-62 for Empress Elisabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. By the time it was completed Elisabeth had already died, and only Catherine the Great and her successors could enjoy their new home. Many of the impressive interiors have been remodeled since then, particularly after 1837, when a huge fire destroyed most of the palace. Nowadays the Winter Palace, together with four more buildings houses the extensive collections of the Hermitage. The Hermitage Museum is the largest art gallery in Russia and is among the largest and most respected art museums in the world. The museum was founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great purchased a collection of 255 paintings from Berlin.

PUBLISHED DATE	1884 PARIS
ARTIST	DE LA CHARLERIE
ENGRAVED BY	PANNEMAKER
PUBLISHER	THOMAS DE LAMOTTE SAINTE-MARTIN
PAGE SIZE: approx	14 1/2 INCHES x 10 1/2 INCHES
IMAGE SIZE: approx	7 X 6 1/4 INCHES
CONDITION	LARGE FOLIO INTEXT ENGRAVING with TEXT on the back . Excellent condition. Heavier paper.Suitable ageing. The image is clean, clear and sharp with beautiful depth and detail.