In the State Hermitage Museum on May 16, 2014, two exhibitions presenting the costumes of Tsar family, courtiers and servants of the highest court from the XVIII - early XX centuries were open, "Interfax" reports.

Those exhibitions may be characterized as one of the most important events dedicated to the 250-th anniversary of the Hermitage, Mikhail Piotrovsky, the museum director, notes.

According to the curator of the exhibitions, Vyacheslav Fedorov, the museum has succeeded in revealing the owners of most presented costumes, at the same time each of the costume represents a huge historical stratum of world culture.

The exhibition "At the court of Russian emperors. The Costume of XVIII – early XX century in the Hermitage collection" recreates the picture of Russian imperial court by means of pieces of art and household items. The clothes and accessories that belonged to members of imperial family and representatives of Russian aristocracy provide the basis of the exposition.

At the exhibition ceremonial and everyday costumes, sets for visits and horse riding, children and masquerade costumes, morning attire, clothes for walking, evening and ball dresses are presented.

The uniforms of various kinds of troops demonstrate a particular fashion – the military one. In the context of the exhibition such themes as favorite by-time and entertainments of Russian aristocracy are reflected: theater, music, games (charades, chess, cards), "royal hunting".

The exhibition "The servants of the Highest Court". The livery costume of the late XIX - early XX century in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum" will present some 250 items of costume and accessories.

The livery servants have made a significant contribution to the shining image of Russian imperial court. For them several kinds of uniforms were produced: casual, Sunday, parade, mourning, outdoors, voyage and service ones.

In addition to exhibits from the Hermitage collection, the exhibition features unique documents and photographs from Russian State Historical Archive, the Central State Archive of film- and photo-documents of St. Petersburg and some private archives of the descendants of the court servants from St. Petersburg and Stavropol.

The exhibitions will function at the Hermitage until September 21.

www.hermitagemuseum.org