Bazhenov V.I., (1737-1799) architect

Categories / Architecture/Personalia
BAZHENOV Vasily Ivanovich (1737-1799, St. Petersburg), architect, member of the Academy of Fine Arts (1765), Member of the Russian Academy (1784), the Actual Privy Counsellor (1796). In 1756, he came to St. Petersburg, studied at the Academic gymnasium and assisted architect S.I. Chevakinsky during the construction of the St. Nicholas' Naval Cathedral; in 1758-60, he studied at the architectural class of the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1760-64, he continued his studies in France and in Italy. In 1764, he became a member of the Academy of St. Lucas (Rome). From 1766, he lived in Moscow and participated in local Masonic lodges' activities, often visiting the capital, and enjoyed the support of his fellow masons and Tsesarevitch Pavel Petrovich (the future Emperor Pavel I). In art critiques, Bazhenov is ascribed the participation in projecting the Mikhailovsky Castle and Kamennoostrovsky Palace, the building of the Arsenal on Liteiny Avenue (see the Arsenals), the mansion of I.I. Betsky, the summer residence of G.N. Teplov (see the estate of the Kushelev-Bezborodkos, currently, 40 Sverdlovskaya Embankment) and even the Kazan Cathedral, but these facts are unconfirmed. According to the documents, Bazhenov is the author of the "entertainment house" in the outskirts of Ekaterinhof (1766), of the project of the Galley harbour (1796), of the biscuit mill in Kronstadt (1796-97), he also participated in remaking of the palace in Gatchina. From 1792, he was the main architect of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg, in 1799; he was a Vice President of the Academy of Fine Arts. From 1798, he lived in his own house (currently, 37 Rimsky-Korsakov Avenue).

References: Михайлов А. И. Баженов. М., 1951; Исаченко В. Г., Лисаевич И. И. Василий Баженов // Зодчие Санкт-Петербурга, XVIII век. СПб., 1997. С. 527-541; Василий Иванович Баженов: Письма. Пояснения к проектам. Свидетельства современников. Биогр. док. М., 2001.

В. В. Антонов. Antonov Viktor Vasilievich
Bazhenov Vasily Ivanovich
Betskoy (Betsky) Ivan Ivanovich
Bezborodko Alexander Andreevich
Chevakinsky Savva Ivanovich
Paul (Pavel) I, Emperor
Teplov Grigory Nikolaevich
Liteiny Ave/Saint Petersburg, city
Rimsky-Korsakov Ave/Saint Petersburg, city, house 37
Sverdlovskaya Embankment/Saint Petersburg, city, house 40
Василий Иванович Баженов: Письма. Пояснения к проектам. Свидетельства современников. Биогр. док. М., 2001
Михайлов А. И. Баженов. М., 1951
Исаченко В. Г., Лисаевич И. И. Василий Баженов // Зодчие Санкт-Петербурга, XVIII век. СПб., 1997 St. Nicholas' Naval Cathedral
Academy of Arts
Academy of Arts
Mikhailovsky Castle
Arsenals (general article)
Kazan Cathedral
Admiralty
Admiralty