Karl Rossi (1775-1849) was a Russian architect of Italian origin, the author of majestic buildings and beautiful ensembles in St. Petersburg and its environs. Karl Rossi can be safely called the founding father of the Russian Empire style. Having become an innovator of urban construction, he was the first to impart large scale to urban perspectives, and introduced metal ceilings. K. Rossi had in mind each of his projects as a complete quarter rather than as a separate building.
Karlo Rossi's first projects in St. Petersburg were two pavilions built in 1816-1818 during the reconstruction of the Anichkov estate as a symbol of Russia's military strength and its victory over France. The architect erected in Russia ensembles that caused admiration and gained world fame: Palace Square with the General Staff building (1820-1830), Senate Square with the Senate and Synod buildings (1829-1834), Mikhailovskaya Square with Mikhailovsky Palace (1819-1825), and Alexandrinskaya Square with the Alexandrinsky Theater building (1828-1832).
The postage stamp provides an image of the General Staff building; the margins of the souvenir sheet feature a portrait of architect Karl Rossi.
The General Staff building – main museum complex of the State Hermitage Museum
| Paper |
Printing method |
Perforation |
Format of the stamp |
Format of the block |
Edition |
| Chalk surfaced |
Offset + bronzed paste + security system |
Frame 12¼:12 |
42 × 30 mm |
104 × 71 mm |
18 thousand blocks |