AMERICAN EXPRESS PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION
Moscow, Russia
Ostankino Estate Museum (1790–1798)
Commissioned
by Count Nicholas Petrovitch Cheremetiev at the end of the eighteenth
century, the palace at Ostankino is an exceptional neoclassical
residence, ranking among the most important surviving estates in Russia.
The one-story building with its Egyptian and Italian halls, formal apartments and richly ornamented galleries was renowned for the concerts and lavish parties held there. Among the many grand rooms at Ostankino is the Picture Gallery, which is the focus of WMF’s work at the palace.
This long hall, with side chambers at either end, has suffered over the years from inappropriate repairs, looting, and neglect. Past work at the gallery has focused on preventing water infiltration and stabilizing the structure, but the restoration of the interior has not yet been addressed.
Towards this end, WMF Europe recently brought together painting and wallpaper specialists to develop a plan for the conservation of the gallery, including the restoration of the painted ceiling, the wallpaper and painted wood.
