Test your knowledge of “New Russian" baroque: Can you tell the difference between a government official’s private residence and a tsarist palace?
Gold, architectural sculptures, and other luxurious decor elements are characteristic not only of the seaside mansion on Russia’s Black Sea coast dubbed President Vladimir Putin’s personal “palace.” The private houses of some former senior officials throughout Eurasia feature a similar style, dubbed "New Russian" baroque. Sometimes, their grandeur rivals the interiors of historic palaces or even eclipses them.
Can you distinguish between classic interiors and those favored (or allegedly favored) by some officials in the early post-Soviet era?
No, sorry! This chandelier, photographed in 2014, hung inside a room in the estate of ex-Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka in Gorenichy, outside of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Photo Credit: Reuters
You got it! This chandelier, photographed in 2014, hung inside a room in the estate of ex-Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka in Gorenichy, outside of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Photo Credit: Reuters
Nope, check out the craftsmanship of the paneling and parquet floor. That’s the Arabesque Hall inside the 18th-century Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, Russia.
Photo Credit: Aleks G/Wikipedia
Right! This is the Arabesque Hall in the 18th-century Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, Russia.
Photo Credit: Aleks G/Wikipedia
You’re right! This bed can be found inside the mansion known as "Putin's Palace" near Gelendzhik, Russia.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com
No, though the room's decor evokes tsarist times. This bed can be found inside the mansion known as "Putin's Palace" near Gelendzhik, Russia.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com
Incorrect! Check out the detailed wall paneling, molding, large mirrors, and furniture style -- all from a more formal era. The room is the restored study of Princess Tatiana Yusupova (1829-1879) in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Yusupov Palace.
Photo Credit: gov.spb.ru (Creative Commons)
Correct! This is the restored study of Princess Tatiana Yusupova (1829-1879) in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Yusupov Palace.
Photo Credit: gov.spb.ru (Creative Commons)
Incorrect! This grand piano is in the former residence of ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (Mezhyhirya, Ukraine).
Correct! This grand piano is inside ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s residence.
Yes! This is a bedroom in the “Putin Palace” on Russia’s Gelendzhik Bay.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com
Nope! Take a close look at the color scheme, the drapes, and the potentially mass-produced furniture. This does not fit the so-called "Russian Versailles," built for Peter the Great, beginning in the early 18th century. The bedroom is from the “Putin Palace” on Russia’s Gelendzhik Bay.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com
Incorrect! This is a photograph of part of the house of Aleksei Safonov, the former head of the Traffic Security Inspection Department in Russia’s Stavropol Krai.
Photo Credit: Russian Investigative Committee (EPA-EFE)
You got it! This is a photograph of part of the house of Aleksei Safonov, the former head of the Traffic Security Inspection Department in Russia’s Stavropol Krai.
Photo Credit: Russian Investigative Committee (EPA-EFE)
Right! This is the personal chapel of ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych inside his former residence in Mezhyhirya, Ukraine.
No! This is the personal chapel of ex-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych inside his former residence in Mezhyhirya, Ukraine.
Exactly! This gilded bathroom set was photographed in the house of Aleksei Safonov, the former head of the Traffic Security Inspection Department for Russia’s Stavropol Krai.
Photo Credit: Russian Investigative Committee (EPA-EFE)
Wrong! This gilded bathroom set was photographed in the house of Aleksei Safonov, the former head of the Traffic Security Inspection Department for Russia’s Stavropol Krai.
Photo Credit: Russian Investigative Committee (EPA-EFE)
You know your palaces! Yes, this architectural statue decorates the theater at the so-called “Putin Palace” on Russia’s Gelendzhik Bay.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com
Sorry, that’s wrong! This architectural statue decorates the theater at the so-called “Putin Palace” on Russia’s Gelendzhik Bay.
Photo Credit: Navalny.com