The mistress and magpie who became one of Russia's best rulers

Literary editor/columnist

Saturday 28 July 2012

No doubt some of you will already have paid a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, to see the exhibition on loan (until October 21) from the State Hermitage in St Petersburg.

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Rosemary Goring

The Hermitage was formerly and more romantically known as The Winter Palace, and it was here that Catherine the Great, whom this exhibition honours, began to collect what was to become a world-famous treasure-house of art and artefacts.

At a sumptuous farewell dinner given by the outgoing chairman of the museum, Sir Angus Grossart, guests were invited to dress in Russian attire. The more bashful among us declined, but matching the spirit of Sir Angus, who was resplendent as an emperor, many turned up in outfits that outshone the exhibits of 18th-century Russian costumes on display a few metres from where they supped vintage champagne and vodka- infused salmon.Written by various experts, the exhibition guide, Catherine The Great: An Enlightened Empress (National Museum of Scotland, £25) not only describes her remarkable achievements as one of Russia's best-loved and most astute rulers, but includes a chapter designed to appeal to those of us who are immoderately proud of Scots' achievements beyond our thistly borders. As Professor Anthony Cross explains, under Catherine's rule, Scots made their mark in Russia as doctors, architects and military experts, dominating the royal navy. He writes: "Scots were to be found in Russia from the days it was called Muscovy, principally if not exclusively as mercenaries, but it is in the 18th century that their presence might be said to be all-pervasive and detected in so many areas of activity and expertise that were vital to the smooth running of the Russian Empire."Before going to the exhibition, I began to read an engrossing new biography of Catherine by Pulitzer prize-winning Robert K Massie, whose previous books include biographies of Peter the Great and the Romanovs. Catherine The Great: Portrait Of A Woman (Head of Zeus, £25) is teeming with information about this extraordinary woman, who proved a match for any man she met.She was a minor German princess who, through steely ambition, set her cap at the heir to the Russian throne and, once married, soon formed her own power base. After staging a coup d'etat in 1762 – during which her husband was beaten to death by his guards – she became empress of Russia, which she ruled with brilliance and a degree of social sensitivity rare in those of her class. She has, in fact, been called Russia's first feminist, establishing the first schools for girls, and her liberated behaviour resulted in numerous affairs, setting her on a par with Europe's male monarchs. Added to which, efficiently running the largest empire on earth gave her claim to being one of the most outstandingly successful women of all time. Just as importantly, though, she was a dedicated patron of the arts, which is strongly reflected in the exhibition, with its paintings, furniture, dresses and exquisite objets d'art.In almost every respect, Catherine was fearless, but there was one thing that terrified her. Smallpox was the scourge of the times, carrying off peasants and kings alike. She was so scared of its spread that she kept her son away from crowds, thus driving the boy to distraction. It is to Catherine's enormous credit that in 1768, when she heard about the English physician Dr Thomas Dimsdale's controversial new method of inoculation she insisted he inject her. After surviving the very mild pox she subsequently caught, she had her son treated.Her peers had strongly advised her not to take such a rash step, and ordinarily she might have agreed with them, hating doctors as she did. In this instance, however, her courage was to prove revolutionary for her country, and the rest of Europe, which followed suit. This empress's faith in a dauntingly risky medical procedure was symptomatic of her intelligence, and her interest in her people's welfare. Don't be fooled by the glittering items on display in the National Museum – Catherine was as much an intellectual as a magpie.

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The mistress and magpie who became one of Russia's best rulers

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