Peter the Great in Historical Memory: Art, Cinema, and Museums

How do we remember the rulers who shaped nations? The image of Peter the Great has been constantly reshaped, celebrated, and contested across generations to serve different cultural and political narratives. This text-only course guides you through the fascinating field of memory studies, showing you how to critically analyze historical representation. You will read, analyze, and understand how one of history's most prominent figures is portrayed in art, cinema, and museum curation, gaining the tools to deconstruct historical myths and public narratives. What you'll learn: - Understand the core concepts of historical memory, myth-making, and public history. - Analyze classical paintings and portraits to decode the political symbolism behind historical imagery. - Examine cinematic representations of the Tsar and how film directors adapted his legacy for modern audiences. - Explore museum exhibition strategies and how physical spaces preserve and shape historical narratives. - Apply critical reading methods to evaluate modern digital exhibitions and contemporary memory studies. The course starts with foundational definitions of memory studies and public history before moving into thematic analyses of fine art, cinema, and museum curation. Through written explanations and textual case studies, you will trace the evolution of this historical image from the eighteenth century to the digital age. This course is designed for beginners, history enthusiasts, and students of cultural studies, with no prior background in historical analysis required. Begin your journey into the art of historical analysis and discover how the past is actively recreated today.