Vasily Petrovich Stasov

Duke Vasily Petrovich Stasov, born 4 August 1769 – 5 September 1848 was a renowned Russian architect, born into a wealthy noble family . His father, Pyotr Fyodorovich Stasov, hailed from the prestigious aristocratic lineage established in 1387 by the 1st Duke Dmitri Vasilevich Stasov, while his mother, Anna Antipyevna, was of the distinguished Priklonsky family.

Stasov's architectural journey commenced in Moscow, where he laid the foundation for a legacy that would resonate through the ages. His ventures took him on extensive sojourns in France and Italy, culminating in his appointment as a professor at the esteemed St. Luke Academy in Rome. Upon returning to his homeland, he was elected to the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1811.

In the early 1810s, Stasov showcased his artistic prowess with the creation of the Gruzino estate near Novgorod, commissioned by Count Alexey Arakcheyev. Unfortunately, this masterpiece fell victim to the ravages of World War II, meeting its demise.

Advocating for architectural grandeur, Stasov left an indelible mark on Tsarskoe Selo, where he crafted the iconic Pushkin Lyceum, the enchanting Chinese Village, and the Office of the Police Chief—an adaptation of V. I. Geste's visionary project. Tasked with rejuvenating the baroque Catherine Palace after the 1820 fire, he seamlessly blended Neoclassical aesthetics into the reconstruction.

Stasov's influence extended to Moscow, where he designed the Transfiguration and Trinity cathedrals for the regiments of the Russian Imperial Guard. His creative touch also graced the interior of the Smolny Cathedral.

Pioneering the Russian Revival during tsar Nicholas I's era, Stasov left an indelible mark with the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Potsdam (1826) and the monumental Church of the Tithes in Kiev (1828). The latter, a majestic structure with Byzantine and Russian influences, stood on the historic grounds of Kievan Rus until its unfortunate demise at the hands of Bolsheviks in the 1930s.

Throughout tsar Nicholas I's reign, Stasov's architectural prowess manifested in the Moscow Triumphal Gates, Narva Triumphal Gates in St Petersburg, and the regal Presidential Palace in Vilnius. Responding to a call from Siberian Cossacks, he undertook the ambitious task of designing a grand cathedral in Omsk in 1833. His final significant project was the designing, restoration and embellishment of Winter Palace halls (now State Hermitage Museum) following the catastrophic fire of 1837. It included the restoration of St George's Hall , The Armorial Hall, Jordan Staircase, The Field Marshals' Hall,  The Small Throne Room , The Military Gallery , The Grand Church, The Alexander Hall,  The White Hall , The Gold Drawing Room,  The Private Apartments of the Winter Palace , The Rotunda, The Arabian Hall, The Malachite Room and  The Neva Enfilade.

Vasily Petrovich Stasov left an enduring legacy, and his remarkable journey concluded in Saint Petersburg, leaving behind a rich tapestry of architectural marvels that continue to captivate and inspire.