Imperial balls, dinners and dances were held in the
White Hall on the 2nd floor of the Winter Palace facing Palace
Square during the reign of Alexander II.
In a letter to her brother Karl of Hesse-Darmstadt in
1842, Empress Marie wrote “… the big white ballroom with statues brought by
Sasha from Italy [in 1838, now in the Hermitage] …”
The White Hall was also used for exhibitions. In 1861,
Petr Sevastyano’s 5,000 photographs of Byzantine objects and manuscripts,
drawings and copies of works of art from his trip to Mount Athos in 1857-1858
were displayed for Alexander II and his guests.
Nicholas II continued both traditions.
On Monday, January 19th, 1904 Nicholas wrote
“… At 9:30 the Grand Ball began. There were so many people as never before and
there were enough places for people at dinner. I went around the tables in all
the halls …”
The January 19th diagram I have of the 2nd
floor indicates the position of the tables in the Halls for the 2360 guests. There were 18 oval tables (standard 14) set up in the White Hall.
On Wednesday, February 7th, 1896 Nicholas
wrote “… We looked over Aivazovsky’s paintings, which he had set up in the
White Hall by our wish …” and on Monday, February 12th late evening “…
we walked around to see all three interior guard-posts … It was quite a special
thing to do this in half-lit halls… We took another look at Aivazovsky’s works …”
Photographs (below) of the White Hall from Alexander
Uspansky’s ‘The Imperial Palaces’ Vol 1. 1913
On Monday, March 4th, 1896 Nicholas wrote “…
At 2PM we went to the White Hall, where Dr. Pyasetsky showed us an excellently
done unfolding panorama of his trip last year … Caspian See to Teheran …”
On Wednesday, March 1st, 1900 Nicholas
wrote “… Mama, Misha and Olga had dinner at our place. In the White Hall Lt.
Botkin gave us an interest talk on his expedition to Baikal and showed us many
photographs on a magical light machine.
On Friday, March 22nd, 1902 Nicholas wrote “…
Then we went to the White Hall, where the ladies had been invited. Makarov was
to give us a lecture on his northern sailing on the ‘Ermak’. But this did not
happen, since Makarov turned out to be sick in Kronstadt and no one informed us
about this. Quite a stupid occurrence!…”
Photographs (below) of the White Hall – Uspansky 1913
Photographs (below) of the White Hall today
Great post Joanna!
ReplyDeleteI love that this room has retained all its original features
Why did they hold Imperial balls, dinners and dances in the White Hall wouldn't there have been more room in The Great Nicholas Hall?
In the 2nd and 3rd photo what are the things on the wall, are they plates of some kind?
Ghostie x.
The Imperial Balls were held in all the state rooms on the 2nd floor from the Concert Hall all the way around to the Armorial Hall etc, continuing through the Military Halls to the White Hall and Gold Room. Tables were set up in all except for the Nicholas Hall which was for dancing. Even the Eastern Gallery had long tables set up.
ReplyDeleteThe plates were the ceremonial plates presented along with salt to the Imperial family when visiting.
Oh wow! Now I get it, I was under the impression that it was held only in The White hall and I couldn't get my head around the fact that they fitted 2000+ guests in there, silly me but thanks for answering my silly question.
ReplyDeleteWhy salt?
Ghostie x.
I forgot the bread!
ReplyDeleteWhenever the Imperial family visited a place i.e. Novgorod or regiment etc, they would be presented with a plate of bread and salt to commemorate the visit.