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Carlo Rossi | |
|---|---|
 Carlo Rossi in a portrait by B. S. Mityar (1820) | |
| Born | Carlo di Giovanni Rossi (1775-12-18)18 December 1775 |
| Died | (1849-04-06)6 April 1849 |
| Known for | Architecture |
| Movement | Neoclassicism |
Carlo di Giovanni Rossi (Russian:Карл Иванович Росси,romanized: Karl Ivanovich Rossi; 29 December [O.S. 18 December] 1775 – 18 April [O.S. 6 April] 1849)[1] was an Italian architect who worked in Imperial Russia. He was the author of many classical buildings and architectural ensembles inSaint Petersburg and its environs.
Carlo Rossi was born 29 December [O.S. 18 December] 1775 inNaples (his stepfather was the famous ballet artistCharles le Picq) and was brought to Russia in his childhood when his motherGuertroude Rossi-Le Picq, a well-knownballerina, was invited into Russia to perform. From youth he was connected with the world of the arts. He trained in the studio of architectVincenzo Brenna. In 1795 he entered the service of the admiralty board of architecture; as the assistant to Brenna, together with whom, it is assumed, he participated in the construction ofSaint Michael's Castle in Saint Petersburg.From 1802 to 1803 Rossi studied in Italy. In 1806 he obtained the title of architect and an office. In 1808 he was dispatched to the Kremlin archaeological expedition in Moscow, where he built St. Catherine's Church of theAscension Convent and the theater at Arbat Square, which burned to the ground duringNapoleon's invasion of Russia. He was rewarded with the Order of St. Vladimir of IV degree. In 1814, he obtained the rank of Collegiate Councilor. In 1815, he returned to Saint Petersburg. In 1816, he was appointed to a position on the committee of structures and hydraulic works.
The buildings of Rossi are characteristic of theempire style, which combines grandeur with noble simplicity. These include: theYelagin Palace with the hothouse and the pavilions (1816–1818), theMikhailovsky Palace,General Staff Building, the buildings of the Senate and Synod (1829–1833), the façade of theRussian National Library that faces Alexandrinskaya Square, the pavilions ofAnichkov Palace, the arch of the General Staff Building, theAlexandrine Theatre and the buildings of the Board of Theaters and Ministry of Internal Affairs. InPavlovsk, Rossi built the palace library. One of the last buildings of Rossi was the belfry of the Yurevskogo monastery nearVelikiy Novgorod.
On 18 April [O.S. 6 April] 1849, he died ofcholera inSaint Petersburg, according to available data - in complete oblivion and in poverty.[2] His children were left with the responsibilities of his burial and debts, which they petitioned the Tsar for help with. The Tsar gave a small sum for the funeral and Rossi was buried in the Volkov Lutheran cemetery. During the Soviet period, he was reburied at theLazarevskoe Cemetery of theAlexander Nevsky Monastery underthe same tombstone.
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