During the 19th Century, Russia experienced what was
called the Golden Age. During this period, Russia thrived in not only
architecture, but in music, literature, and painting. Two master architects
by the name of Osip Bove and Konstantine Ton were largely responsible
for the manifestation of both St. Petersburg and Moscow. Bove and Ton
helped shape Russia into the nation it is today.
In the early 19th Century, Bove highly supported classicism.
However, in the middle of the 19th Century, there was a search for new
architectural style by Konstantin Ton. After Bove’s death, Ton
began experimenting with a new style of design. Ton became famous in
the middle of the 19th Century when societal changes were taking place
in Russia. Once Russia switched its system from serfdom to a capitalistic
system, art and architecture began to react to the quick cultural changes.
Russian architects therefore began to pull away from classicism, and
began to design with utilitarian principles. With Konstantine Ton’s
influence, architects felt free to experiment with various styles and
traditions, and therefore created Russian architectural eclecticism.
Konstantine Ton built the great Cathedral of Christ the
Savior, as well as the Great Kremlin Palace. Ton dedicated half a century
to build the magnificent cathedral in Moscow, which was destroyed in
1931 by Soviet leaders and was therefore restored. It took Ton nine
years to construct the Kremlin Palace, and it is known as one of Russia’s
most historical palaces. To show what a splendid and wise man Ton was,
he also created the Leningrad Terminal in Moscow and the Moscow Terminal
in St. Petersburg in 1851, once Russia had a railroad system. Ton was
able construct his masterpieces with contemporary yet traditional styles
that favored the nations culture.
