Catherine The Great

Catherine the Great: An Enlightened Empress, the exhibition, is being co-developed by the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and National Museums Scotland to mark the 250th anniversary of Catherine's ascension to the Russian throne. It will be on at the National Museum of Scotland - its only venue - from 13 July-21 October 2012. It will showcase the truly spectacular collections of Catherine the Great, one of Russia's most successful rulers. Catherine (1729-96) was also one of the greatest art collectors of all time.

The exhibition includes: portraits; costumes and uniforms; snuffboxes inlaid with precious gems, gold and silver; Ancient Greek and Roman carved cameos depicting figures from biblical stories, mythology and history; many of the finest examples of porcelain, glass, metal, and polished stone items ever made in Russia.

This exhibition guide has eight illustrated essays by experts in the fields of Russian history and art, followed by a selected catalogue of over 200 objects.

Read The Independent's review here.