Cultural Transformations from Peter to Catherine the Great

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Peter the Great was influenced by western culture. In the first years of his reign Peter left Russia on his Grand Embassy expedition aimed at creating a coalition against the Ottoman Empire and to observe western culture. Upon his return and during his reign, Peter the Great would transform Russia, from its customs and dress to its capital and government, as he attempted to infuse western culture into Russia. The power point that I have assembled will example cultural changes in the form of art, education, and architecture from Peter I to Catherine II.

The Change of Russian Culture and Life

A New Capital For Petrine Russia

Peter the Great envisioned a city by the sea that modeled a more westernized society and culture. The figure above is a layout plan of St. Petersburg in 1917.

                                                                                                     

Migration of the Boyar

Part of Peter’s modernization of Russia was to create a new Russian capital representing western culture. The Menshikov palace was one of the first palaces built in St. Petersburg after Peter orders noble families to move there in 1711.

Changes in Appearance

Influenced by the west, Peter I would model and demand his Russian subjects to shave their beards and dress in European attire.

Modernization of Art

Russian Artists were sent abroad to study and absorb western style of art.Andrey Matveev is among the first artists sent abroad by Peter I. In 1728 he paints the portrait of Anastasiia Golitsyna.

Education

The need for education was dealt with in the reigns of Peter and Catherine the Great. In 1755, Moscow would construct its first university, promoted by Ivan Shuvalov and Michael Lomonosov.

Conclusion

 

Through the Reigns of Peter and Catherine the Great, Russian culture would be fundamentally changed and improved. Although, some criticize the influence of western culture as it disregarded Muscovite tradition, the end result is clear. Russian education, art, dress, government, and culture was reformed and changed into a distinct and modern Empire. This transformation helped Russia shake off its awkward and strange Muscovite appearance into a respectable and revered Empire that continued to expand and influence.