This website is part of The New York Public Library's Online Exhibition Archive. For current classes, programs, and exhibitions, please visit nypl.org.
Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
1453 Through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598-1682) Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682-1762) The Age of Catherine the Great (1762-1801) The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825)

                                     

Explore this Section:

The Age of Catherine the Great: A Summary of Russian History
Russia Symbol Introduction
Russia Symbol The Husband
Russia Symbol The Enlightened Absolutist Monarch
Russia Symbol Catherine's Foreign Policy
Russia Symbol Paul I
The Age of Catherine the Great: A Summary of World History
Introduction
The Americas
Eurasia


Russia's Globalization:
A Key

Events marked Russia Symbol are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development.
Those marked World Symbol are important world historical or cultural events.
Engagement Symbol indicates specific points of sociocultural or military engagement between Muscovy/Russia and foreign powers or individuals.




















 

 
 
 Catherine’s Historic Feast
 
   Photographic Services & Permissions
  Jean Louis de Veilly (fl. 1759–63)
Engraving depicting the coronation banquet of Catherine II
[St. Petersburg], ca. 1762; printed 1857
NYPL, Slavic and Baltic Division

Catherine’s coronation festivities lasted for eight days and purposely exceeded the lavish displays seen in other European countries. The ceremonies emphasized stability, legitimacy, and the love held for the empress by her new subjects in order to counteract the scandalous story of Catherine’s seizing the throne from her husband, Peter III (r. 1761–62), and his subsequent death. This depiction of the banquet suggests a convivial affair, a family delighted and comfortable with its new head, from whom they have nothing to fear.