«Was taught the french language very well»: empress Elizabeth Petrovna – the beginning of the era of gallomania in Russia

Kolobkova А. А.

The article examines the origins of such a widespread social and cultural phenomenon as gallomania in Russia in the XVIII‒XIX centuries. This term is used to refer to the widespread fascination of the noble class with everything French – language, literature, culture, fashion, music, theater. In historical science, the beginning of gallomania is associated with the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, the daughter of Peter I. The Future Empress learned French at the age of 11-12, and read a lot in French. The article discusses the specifics of home education and training Elizabeth Petrovna received, reveals the aspects of home training of tsarevna Elizabeth in French by Isaac Pavlovich Veselovsky – a teacher whose pedagogical service influenced the lifestyle of representatives of subsequent generations of the highest society in Russia. The author explores the reasons for the passion for everything French, lists the signs of increasing gallomania during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna.

Keywords:gallomania, Francophonie, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, Isaac Pavlovich Veselovsky, learning French, home schooling.