Tsarina Catherine’s ambition was to continue the work of Peter the Great. Indeed, her commitment to the arts was impressive: she corresponded with Voltaire, Diderot and d’Alembert, among others. She is responsible for having the Hermitage – the famous winter palace – erected in St. Petersburg, and it is thanks to her love of painting that the royal art collection grew from a few dozen paintings to more than 4,000. The splendidly ornamented Patron of Art Edition Catherine the Great commemorates the great era of the Russian Empire. Rose gold-coated ornamentation featuring blossom wreath motifs adorns the eggplant-colored barrel of Edition 4810. The medium size nib is in Au 750 solid gold, on which the symbol of the Russian monarchy – the two-headed eagle – is engraved. This is piece no. 2078 of 4810 produced. Sealed - Never Opened.