Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Italian architect who shaped Russian Late Baroque.
Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli (1700 – 29 April 1771) was an Italian architect who spent most of his career in Russia, where he created a signature Late Baroque style known for being both lavish and grand. His most famous buildings, such as the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg and the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, are celebrated for their extreme luxury and ornate decoration.
Rastrelli was born in Paris in 1700. His father, Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli, was a Florentine sculptor and architect who had trained in Rome. Nothing is recorded about Francesco’s early years in Paris, but he almost certainly learned his craft working in his father’s workshop. In 1716, he moved with his father to Saint Petersburg, which had become Russia’s capital just four years earlier. His goal was to blend the latest Italian architectural trends with the traditions of Muscovite Baroque. His first major commission came in 1721, when he was asked to build a palace for Prince Demetre Cantemir, the former ruler of Moldavia.
He was appointed senior court architect in 1730. His work appealed to the female rulers of the era, and he kept the position through the reigns of Empress Anna (1730–1740) and Empress Elizabeth (1741–1762). Rastrelli’s last and most ambitious project was the Smolny Convent in Saint Petersburg, where Empress Elizabeth planned to spend the rest of her life. The planned bell tower would have been the tallest building in Saint Petersburg and all of Russia. Elizabeth’s death in 1762 stopped Rastrelli from finishing this grand design.
The new empress, Catherine II, dismissed Baroque architecture as old-fashioned “whipped cream,” so the aging architect retired to Courland, where he oversaw the completion and decoration of the ducal palaces. His final years were spent in obscure dealings with Italian art dealers. He was elected to the Imperial Academy of Arts just a few months before his death.
Rastrelli lived with his parents and married Baroness Maria Anna von Walles, who was born in Berlin in 1710. According to the 1737 census, she had three children: one son and two daughters. His son Giuseppe Iacopo died of cholera in December 1737, and his daughter Eleonora died in January 1738. His other daughter, Elisabetta Caterina, born in 1734, married architect Francesco Bertogliati, who had been her father’s assistant.
Empress Elizabeth, Peter I’s daughter, was suspi
- born
- 1700 in Paris
- died
- 29 April 1771
- field
- Architecture
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Winter Palace, Catherine Palace, Smolny Convent
Lore & Background
Rastrelli was born in 1700 in Paris, where his father, Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli, a Florentine sculptor and architect, was active. Nothing is known about Francesco's Parisian years, but it seems certain that the young man trained and worked in his father's workshop. In 1716, he moved to Saint Petersburg with his father. His ambition was to combine the latest Italian architectural fashion with traditions of the Muscovite Baroque style. The first important commission came in 1721 when he was asked to build a palace for Prince Demetre Cantemir.
He was appointed senior court architect in 1730 and retained this post throughout the reigns of Empresses Anna and Elizabeth. His last and most ambitious project was the Smolny Convent in St. Petersburg, where Empress Elizabeth was to spend the rest of her life. Elizabeth's death in 1762 prevented Rastrelli from completing this grand design. The new empress, Catherine II, dismissed Baroque architecture as old-fashioned, and the aged architect retired to Courland, where he supervised the completion and decoration of ducal palaces. His last years were spent in obscure commerce with Italian art-dealers. He was elected to the Imperial Academy of Arts several months before his death.
Reader's Guide
Rastrelli's significance lies in his development of a distinctive Late Baroque style that combined Italian architectural fashion with Muscovite Baroque traditions, creating works of extravagant luxury and opulence. His major buildings, such as the Winter Palace and the Catherine Palace, remain iconic landmarks. He served as senior court architect under Empresses Anna and Elizabeth, building most of his famous works between 1744 and 1760. After Elizabeth's death, Catherine II dismissed Baroque as old-fashioned, leading to Rastrelli's retirement. His legacy includes ten extant buildings, a bust in Tsarskoye Selo, a square named after him in St. Petersburg, and a documentary film. He is a cult figure of Russian Baroque, and his engravings spread throughout Europe during his lifetime.
Did You Know?
- Rastrelli was born in Paris in 1700, where his Florentine father was active as a sculptor and architect.
- He was appointed senior court architect in 1730 and served under Empresses Anna and Elizabeth.
- His last and most ambitious project, the Smolny Convent, was left unfinished due to Empress Elizabeth's death in 1762.
- A square in front of the Smolny Convent has borne Rastrelli's name since 1923.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli?
He was an Italian architect born in Paris in 1700 who spent the bulk of his professional life in Russia, where he became the defining figure of the Late Baroque movement there. He died on 29 April 1771.
What buildings is Rastrelli most famous for?
His signature works include the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg and the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, both renowned for their extraordinary opulence and ornate detailing. He also designed the Smolny Convent.
What architectural style is Rastrelli associated with?
He is credited with shaping Russian Late Baroque, a style characterized by extreme lavishness, grandeur, and richly ornamental decoration. His approach pushed Baroque excess to new heights in the Russian context.
What was Rastrelli's family background?
His father, Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli, was a Florentine sculptor and architect who had trained in Rome. Francesco was born in Paris in 1700, though little is documented about his early childhood there.
Why is Rastrelli considered important in architectural history?
He essentially defined the Russian Late Baroque idiom and left behind palaces that remain among the most lavishly decorated structures ever built. His work set a standard for imperial grandeur that influenced Russian architecture well beyond his lifetime.
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