About the Event:

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we journey back in time to the opulent world of Belle Époque Paris through the remarkable story of Princess Olga Paley and Grand Duke Paul of Russia.

Princess Olga Paley, an aristocrat (although not born an aristocrat), artist, and muse, lived a life intersected with grandeur, scandal, and exile. Discover how Paris became both sanctuary and stage for Olga and her husband, Grand Duke Paul of Russia, as their love defied imperial convention and captivated high society in the French capital.

We are honored to welcome back Wilfried Zeisler for the second time this year. Author of Vivre la Belle Époque à Paris: Olga Paley et Paul de Russie and Chief Curator of the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, he will bring to life these fascinating figures of Franco-Russian history.

Whether you're passionate about French culture, Russian history, or enjoy a story of resilience, romance, and elegance, this event will be one you won't want to miss!

Light refreshments will be served AFTER the event. This event will be in English.

Doors will open at 6:30PM

Event will start at 7:00PM and end at 9:00PM

Parking is on the street.

About the author:

Dr. Wilfried Zeisler is Hillwood’s deputy director and chief curator. He is a graduate of Sorbonne University and the Ecole du Louvre, Paris. Wilfried has written extensively on French and Russian decorative arts, including several articles and contributions to books. Wilfried’s dissertation, L’Objet d’art et de luxe français en Russie (1881-1917) [French Objets d’art and Luxury Goods in Russia], was published in Paris in 2014. Since 2009, he has participated in and curated exhibitions in Paris, Monaco, and Washington DC. At Hillwood, his most recent exhibitions include Fabergé Rediscovered (2018), Bouke de Vries: War and Pieces (2019), Natural Beauties: Exquisite Works of Minerals and Gems (2020), The Porcelain Flowers of Vladimir Kanevsky (2021), Determined Women: Collectors, Artists, and Designers at Hillwood (2023), Glass: Art. Beauty. Design. (2023), and Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean (2024). Wilfried co-authored Konstantin Makovsky: The Tsar's Painter in America and Paris (2015), and The Houses and Collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post – The Joy of It (2022). He is the author of Fabergé Rediscovered, Vivre la Belle Epoque à Paris -- Paul de Russie et Olga Paley (both published in 2018). and Les Youssoupoff – Un siècle de collections françaises (2023). 

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