CATHERINE THE GREAT - AUTOCRAT AND PATRON OF THE ARTS CHRIS NEWLANDS Thursday 16 October 2025

From humble beginnings Catherine rose to be one of the few European rulers to receive the title The Great. Aside from her political ambitions, as a patron of the arts, she created an unparalleled collection of paintings, ornaments and sculptures, many of which remain in the Hermitage Museum.

This lecture summarises her rise to power and her passion for acquiring beautiful things for her private collection.