Lvov N.A. (1751-1803), architect

Categories / Architecture/Personalia
Categories / Art/Music, Theatre/Personalia
LVOV Nikolay Alexandrovich (1751-1803), architect, poet, engraver, scientist, engineer, privy counsellor, member of the Russian Academy (1783), honorary member of the Academy of Arts (1786). Received a home education. From 1769 he served in the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, in 1773-81 on the Foreign Affairs Board, in 1782-97 on the Central Postal Administration. He designed the Neva Gates of the Peter and Paul Fortress (1784-87) and the Central Post Office (1782-89), in which he lived in a state apartment. He constructed a Palladian style villa for P.A. Soymonov on the Neva bank (not preserved), and reconstructed the main building at 118 Fontanka River Embankment for his friend G.R. Derzhavin. His unfinished projects include building for His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery and Kazan Cathedral. He designed the St. Catherine’s Church in Murino (1786-90) and the Holy Trinity Church in Alexandrovskoe Village, situated in suburbs of St. Petersburg (see "Easter Cake"). He also wrote numerous verses, poems, fables, and plays in a sentimental and pre-romantic style, as well as some friendly epistles. He transcribed a Collection of Russian Folk Songs (vol. 1-2, 1790), and wrote a libretto for Coachmen at Shore (1787). He published two Old Russian chronicles and collected materials for a Dictionary of Artists and Arts. He also studied the history of the Maltese Order. He translated into Russian several past poets, and works by F. Petrarca and A. Palladio. A literary-art circle formed around Lvov and Derzhavin (see Lvov-Derzhavin Circle). From 1798 Lvov became an architect of Agricultural School in Gatchina, developing the technique of beaten-cob construction (he designed the unique Prioratsky Palace), as well as new ways of heating and ventilating buildings.

References: Будылина М. В., Брайцева О. И., Харламова А. М. Архитектор Н. А. Львов. М., 1961; Глинка Н. И. Николай Львов // Зодчие Санкт-Петербурга, XVIII век. СПб., 1997. С. 828-878.

V. V. Antonov. Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich
Lvov Nikolay Alexandrovich
Palladio (real name Di Pietro) Andrea
Petrarca Francesco
Soymonov Peter Alexandrovich
Fontanka River Embankment/Saint Petersburg, city, house 118
Будылина М. В., Брайцева О. И., Харламова А. М. Архитектор Н. А. Львов. М., 1961
Глинка Н. И. Николай Львов // Зодчие Санкт-Петербурга, XVIII век. СПб., 1997
Избр. соч. Кельн; Веймар; Вена; СПб., 1994 Academy of Arts
Academy of Arts
Izmaylovsky Life Guards Regiment
St. Peter and Paul fortress
St. Peter and Paul fortress
Post Office, Central
Post Office, Central
His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet
Kazan Cathedral
Circle of Lvov and Derzhavin
Prioratsky Palace (Gatchina)
1787