On 21 August 2025, the presentation of the Grand Kremlin Palace drawings and catalogue of the collection “Architectural Drawings. The Kremlin Palace Complex. The Armoury Chamber (new building)” was held in the Armoury Chamber. The edition comprised 775 drawings, more than 60 of which underwent scrupulous restoration: for over 15 years, Tatyana Parfenova and Tatyana Gerasimova, experts in paper restoration, were occupied with this work.

Deputy Director for Scientific Work Andrey Batalov and Senior Researcher of the Department of Manuscripts, Printed and Graphic Funds Asya Tikhomirova led the presentation.

“For the first time, the palace complex of the Kremlin was committed to paper in the mid-18th century together with the extant previous ensemble erected under Ivan III. Our collection preserves unique drawings that have always been highly demanded by architectural historians – the whole story of building and topography is reflected in the drawings published in three volumes. This is the work of two generations of conservators: the foundation was laid by Irina Bogatskaya, further her successor, Asya Tikhomirova, described the fund, handled it and prepared for publishing. Naturally, this endeavor could not come out without participation of our Scientific and Editorial Department, Publications Department, and finally our Photographs Department, while shooting such enormous drawings is quite a challenging work. This catalogue is significant not only for the architectural historians, who work on their writings in the silence of studies and visit our archives, but also for restorers who have been addressing these materials for decades. The catalogue will also reduce the strain on the original drawings, and restorers will be able to use the edition instead,” noted Andrey Batalov.

“The first section of the catalogue introduces plans of the palace buildings starting from the 18th century. These are the most valued measured plans of architects Ukhtomsky, Evlashov and Blank, a small collection of projects by architect Bazhenov and a group of drawings of the first quarter of the 18th century – unrealized projects of a new Kremlin palace. Of course, the most comprehensive section is the collection of materials, connected to the erection of the Grand Kremlin Palace and its complex according to the project by architect Konstantin Thon of 1838-1851: plans of new buildings, designs for halls decoration, furniture, doors, fireplaces, drapery, memorial plaques, parquetry. Another group – drawings of the second half of the 19th – early 20th cc - refers mainly to various renovation projects. The third volume uncovers the materials on creation of the oldest buildings of the Kremlin complex. These are the Faceted Chamber and the Terem churches, the Armoury Chamber and chambers of Their Imperial Majesties. We would like to thank for creative cooperation our colleagues from the Historical Museum and Museum of Architecture named after Shchusev, who keep the collection of drawings and let us study their materials. Besides, I must highlight the enormous work of our restorers, who had been involved in restoration of numerous drawings for almost two decades,” said Asya Tikhomirova.

The drawings published in catalogue, were made mainly for practical use and still remain actual for architects and researchers. The major part of the materials, except a few displayed at the exhibitions, have not been published yet.