Pietro di Gottardo Gonzago Italian decorator, architect, art theorist Date of Birth: 25.03.1751 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Education
2. Theatrical Career in Italy
3. Arrival in Russia
4. Imperial Decorator
5. Pavlovsk
6. Death and Legacy
7. Theoretical Writings

Early Life and Education

Pietro di Gottardo Gonzaga was born into a family of artists on March 25, 1751, in Longarone, Italy. At the age of 14, he began working with theatrical painter Carlo Bibiena. He moved to Venice at 18 to study painting under A. Visentini and G. Moretti. From 1771 to 1776, he studied theatrical painting in Milan with the Galliari brothers.

Theatrical Career in Italy

In 1779, Gonzaga made his debut at La Scala Theater. He gained recognition for his innovative designs and went on to create stage sets for theaters in various Italian cities. Some of his theatrical works are preserved in the A. A. Bakhrushin Museum.

Arrival in Russia

In 1792, Gonzaga accepted an invitation from Prince N. B. Yusupov to come to St. Petersburg as a decorator for the imperial theaters. He made his debut with the production of "Amour and Psyche" at the Hermitage Theater.

Imperial Decorator

Throughout his lengthy stay in Russia, Gonzaga designed stage sets for theaters in St. Petersburg, Gatchina, Pavlovsk, Peterhof, and Moscow. He also created decorations for court festivities such as coronations, funerals, and weddings.

Pavlovsk

In Pavlovsk, Gonzaga was involved in the planning and decoration of the garden and park ensemble. He painted the Grand Palace's architectural trompe l'oeil, known as the Gonzaga Gallery, as well as the Elizabethan Pavilion, Pil-Bashnya Tower, and the New and Old Chalets. He also adorned the Island of Love on Venus's Pond.

Death and Legacy

Pietro di Gottardo Gonzaga died from cholera in St. Petersburg on August 6, 1831. His grave at the cholera cemetery has not been preserved.

Theoretical Writings

Gonzaga published several influential treatises on theatrical painting, including "Eclaircissement convenable du décorateur théâtral sur l'exercice de sa profession" ("My Premonition to My Superior, or the Explanation of a Theatrical Decorator," 1807) and "Musique des yeux" ("Music for the Eyes," 1818), which were originally written in French but later translated into Russian in 1974.