"Art Nouveau during the Reign of the Last Tsars" accompanies the Hermitage Museum's eighth exhibition in Amsterdam of the vast collection of Art Nouveau objects bestowed on the Russian court as diplomatic gifts. France was particularly generous as part of its strategy to enlist the support of Russia in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Galle, the Daum brothers, Carl Faberge and Rene Lalique are just a few of the artists acquired by the tsars and by wealthy private citizens. Buyers included Tsar Alexander III, Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra whose bedroom was decorated with vases by Galle.Charting the birth and peak of the movement, this book provides examples of objects acquired by collectors of the decorative arts in St Petersburg. Art Nouveau had a major impact on Russian artists who drew on elements of the practice yet rejected others to create the Russian Stil Modern. This looked towards both Art Nouveau styles and more traditional and local art. Whilst celebrating the royal patronage of Western artists, the aim of this publication is also to reveal how medieval Russian architecture, fine art and folk art were all harnessed to create this unique Russian style. Providing a unique opportunity to discover examples of Art Nouveau objects that have previously been unseen, "Art Nouveau during the Reign of the Last Tsars" offers fascinating and original insights into a key artistic movement and is essential reading for all art enthusiasts.