The Kremlin in 1812. War and Peace

Commemorative medal "The Battle of Borodino. 1812"
Saint-Petersburg mint, 1834.
F. Tolstoy. Carvers А. Klepikov (obverse), А. Lyalin (reverse).
Copper; embossing.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Portrait of Emperor Alexander I
Russia, mid XIXth century.
Copied from the original by Garnier. Unknown painter.
Canvas, oil painting.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
"Napoleon watching Moscow burn"
Germany, 1841.
Painter: Albrecht Adam.
Canvas; oil painting.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Veil "The fire in Moscow"
England, first half of the XIXth century.
Cotton cloth, paints; weaving, print.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Engraving "View of the Ivan-the-Great Bell-Tower with the belfry, demolished in 1812"
John Thomas James.
Great Britain, the early XIXth century.
Paper, lithograph, watercolours, whitewash.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Lidded goblet
Moscow, 1809.
Goldsmith Johann Peter Krag, monogrammist SG.
Gold, silver, base metal; casting, embossing, engraving, niello, gilding.
Belonged to P.S. Valuev.
Pocket watch
London, the early XIXth century.
Craftsman Edward II Ellicott.
Gold, metal, porcelain, glass, diamond; punching, fretwork, engraving.
Belonged to lieutenant V. Obreskov, the adjutant of F. Rostopchin.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Portrait of P. Polivanov
Russia, 1814.
Unknown painter.
Ivory, cardboard, glass; watercolours, gouache.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Icon with foldable side flaps (triptych-reliquary)
Icon - Palestine (?), the XVIIIth century; the setting - Russia, Moscow, 1794.
Belonged to the family of lieutenant-general N. Savin.
Silver, wood, mica, foil; woodcarving, engraving.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Coat of the uniform of Emperor Alexander I
Russia, 1802–1806.
Broadcloth, woollen cloth, linen cloth, leather, gold threads, metal; weaving, embroidery.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
The star of the Order of Saint Vladimir
Russia, first quarter of the XIXth century.
Belonged to Emperor Alexander I.
Gold, silver; enamel, forging, gilding.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Cross of the Order of St. George I class on a ribbon
Russia, Saint-Petersburg, the early XIXth century.
Belonged to Emperor Alexander I.
Gold, moiré ribbon; casting, engraving, enamel, weaving.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called in the form of a medallion
Russia, the early XIXth century.
Belonged to Emperor Alexander I.
Gold; casting, enamel, engraving.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Painting "The Grand Army retreating"
Germany, 1830.
A. Adam.
Canvas, oil painting.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Commemorative medal "The Battle of Berezina. 1812"
Saint-Petersburg mint, 1835.
F. Tolstoy. Carvers А. Klepikov (obverse), А. Lyalin (reverse).
Copper; embossing.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums.
Gun set
Versailles, 1814.
Craftsman N. Bute.
Belonged to Prince Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken, the governor-general of Paris.
Vase
Paris, 1819.
Craftsman Martin Guillaume Biennais .
Silver; casting, embossing, punching, gilding.
Belonged to Prince Mikhail Vorontsov.

October, 04, 2012 - January, 10, 2013

the Front hall of the Armoury Chamber

Organized by:: the Moscow Kremlin Museums

01# Commemorative medal The Moscow Kremlin was the place to witness one of the most tragic events during the Patriotic War of 1812. After the largest and bloodiest battle of the French invasion of Russian near the village of Borodino was over, the Russian army, according to the Kutuzov's plan, had to retreat and move away from the battlefield, allowing Napoleon to occupy Moscow. The destiny of a newly established museum – the Armoury Chamber – turned out to depend on the consequences of the Napoleon's campaign for entering Moscow: the Russian Army retreated, the citizens were ordered to abandon the city and the Kremlin was to be burnt after the evacuation.

The exhibition is held as an attempt to pay a tribute to the celebrated courage of the Russian war heroes and selfless labour of the museum workers, who honourably performed their duties to their service and country.

The exposition incorporates the Alexander I's personal belongings, including arms, medals, uniform. The Cross of the Order of St. George of the Ist class, refused to be accepted by the Emperor as he did not consider himself worthy of such an award, is also on display. Trenchant policy and firm character of Alexander I contributed greatly to the victory over the French army. The colonel's (polkovnik's) coat of the Preobrazhensky Lifeguard regiment uniform, exposed within the project, could have been worn by the Emperor in July 1812 during his trip to Moscow. In spite of all the trouble he has taken and problems, which were to be solved in wartime, Alexander I of Russia found a moment to visit the Armoury Chamber, as if he tried to derive encouragement and a will to fight from the artifacts of the past, which illustrate the splendour and power of the country.

The exposed documents and records help to trace the further period of the museum's restoration and introduce the project of the construction of a triumphal column in Moscow, designed to be executed from the French artillery pieces, which had been captured during the war. The visitors will observe commemorative medals, executed to mark the victory of the Russian army in the battles of 1812-1813 and the liberation of the Russian and European cities, the paintings and drawings based on themes of the Patriotic War of 1812.

A group of gifts, donated to Prince Fabian Gottlieb von der Osten-Sacken, who was appointed the governor-general of Paris, and to the commander of the corps of occupation in France Mikhail Vorontsov, testifies that the delicate diplomacy and praiseworthy behavior of the Russian troops in the time of the Paris occupation deserved the thanks and met the approval of the French themselves.

This exhibition presents precious relics illustrating one of the most remarkable pages in the history of Russia.