拍品專文
The palace's existence is owed to three of its magnificent owners, the Empresses Catherine I, Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II. Many distinguished architects worked on the Imperial residence, beginning from 1718. However, the leading and definitive role in the creation of this unique building lay with the architect Francesco Bartholomeo Rastrelli, who from 1752 to 1756 under Elizabeth Petrovna, headed and drove the project until its completion.