The exhibition focuses on the reign (1762 - 1796) of Catherine II and her immediate successors.

Paintings on display are mostly portraits including works by Vladimir Borovikovsky, Dmitry Levitsky, Fyodor Rokotov and by such foreign artists as Alexander Roslin, Johann Baptist von Lampi, Jean-Louis Voille, Angelica Kauffmann and others.

Also presented in the exhibition are objects of decorative and applied art, such as costumes, furniture, porcelain, glassware, textiles and metal artworks. Room 171 which used to be Alexander II’ study combined with bedroom, houses a memorial plaque and a marble bust of the Emperor, who died of wounds here on the 1st March 1881.