The Summer Palace

Dancing room was used for dance lessons of daughters of the Tsar’s family. Performances of guest artists were also held here.

In high society dancing and good manners were taught alongside history, geography and foreign languages. It was particularly topical after Peter the Great had introduced Assemblies in 1718. Another innovation of the 18th century was visiting theatre; theatre performances became part of social life due to Natalia Alekseyevna (1673–1716), sister of Peter the Great. Her portrait in the room is a copy of the portrait by Ivan Nikitin by an unknown artist.