Opening this exhibition about "one of the greatest rulers of all times, the woman who made history and founded the Hermitage," as cited on the gallery's website, Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said that the event "is the crown of 50-year-long ties between Zagreb and Saint Petersburg."
Croatian Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek said that this exhibition would be one of the greatest cultural events in the country this year.
The gallery writes on its website that "on two levels of the Klovicevi dvori Gallery more than a thousand of exhibits, of which some have left the sumptuous halls of Hermitage for the first time, visitors will have the opportunity to see some of the splendor of Imperial Russia and its golden age, as well as the atmosphere of the largest museum of the world created by Catherine."
"Apart from magnificent imperial portraits and paintings from European masters, the exhibition will show a comprehensive overview of sculpture, prints and drawings, court costumes and uniforms, artistically crafted objects (glass, pottery, porcelain, silver and gold), medals, weapons, furniture and objects of virtu."
This exhibition is organised on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the friendship between the cities of St Petersburg and Zagreb.
"It is a result of the collaboration between Hermitage State Museum and the Klovicevi dvori Gallery. The scope of the exhibition is specifically tailored to the format of the Klovićevi dvori Gallery," the Zagreb-based gallery states on its web site.