Triumph & Tragedy: Catherine, the Romanovs & Fabergé
Galleries 1 - 3 | 12 July - 21 December 2019
David Roche first travelled to Russia in 1994 and was overwhelmed by the opulent art and palaces of St Petersburg. His amazement and joy turned to a passion for collecting Russian art, and in almost 20 years he amassed a singularly unique collection in Australia.
Exhibited for the first time in Triumph & Tragedy: Catherine, the Romanovs & Fabergé, the David Roche Foundation has curated more than 150 items from David’s personal collection and significant national loans. Official portraits of Catherine the Great and Emperor Nicholas I reside alongside the personal hand seal of Emperor Alexander I and porcelain especially commissioned for the Hermitage and Pavlovsk Palace.
Precious objects in malachite, glass and gilt-bronze abounded throughout the Romanov period and are woven into this stunning exhibition, which highlights the internationalism of 19th century Russia. Gaze upon the visages of Catherine and the Romanovs in painting and sculpture. Be entranced by precious vases and plates from the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory.
Yet, above all, the final decades of the Russian Empire are remembered for the work of Fabergé. View David Roche’s Fabergé including a parasol handle from the collection of Queen Anne of Romania, gold boxes and small objects, complemented by Fabergé miniature eggs, jewellery, enamel ware on loan from private collectors. All only for Triumph & Tragedy.
Triumph & Tragedy exhibits more than 150 items from The David Roche Collection and significant loans from private and public collections.
Tuesday to Saturday 10 – 4. No bookings required.
Exhibition tours: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 11:15am (free with entry)
Tickets: $12 adult. $10 concession.