2. Literature During Peter I's reign, Russian literature adopted a distinctly European direction within poetry, drama, and novels. Under Catherine II's reign, the quality and quantity of work improved as she supported the Petrine reforms. Trends included classicism and neo-classicism which were tied to the renewed focus on education, language, and the exchange of ideas in other disciplines including science and debate. The new literary efforts were a radical shift from the archaic Kievan roots, that Russia was committed to modernization under the European model. Catherine II
3. Antioch Kantemir 1709-1744 A Moldavian prince educated in Russia and assigned to the diplomatic service. He is considered the father of modern Russian belles letres. Belles letreswas a style of writing endemic to Europe that focused on aesthetics in poetry, songs, and essays. A predecessor of the sentimentalism movement in literature.
4. Mikhail Lomonosov 1711-1765 Accomplished in science, literature, and learning stemming from humble roots, working his way through the system on merit. His patronage with Ivan Shuvalovretained an expansive written account of his time within the Academey of Sciences In literature, his poetic odes are well known even more than Kantemir’s.
5. Alex Sumarokov 1718-1777 An accomplished and prolific writer, is most known for his dramas and theater work. The father of Russian drama His tragedy was part of Elizabeth's court that theatricalized her personal life and reaffirmed her position as empress.
6. Gabriel Derzhavin 1743-1816 He was Catherine II's official bard A poet by trade, he served the state with his poetry and becoming Minister of Justice under Alexander I. Best known for "God", a poem that typifies his style of lofty metaphysical classicism.
7. Denis Fonvizin 1745-1792 Hailed as Russia's first major dramatist, especially in comedies. The Minoris his best known work that uses a pseudo-classical style. He also mocked Russia's excessive admiration of the French, a trend that had become common during the Petrine cultural revolution.
8. Nikolai Karamzin 1766-1826 Author who was the founder of sentimentalism in Russian literature Greatly influenced the direction the Russian language took by adopting the "New Style" that focused on the delicate and feminine aspects. Major works included Letters of a Russian Travelerand Poor Liza
9. Conclusion The scope of literary works grew rapidly between Peter and Catherine the Great’s reign. The adoption, integration and infiltration of European concepts (Classicism, Neo-Classism) were a radical change from the traditional Muscovite culture. Strides in literature were linked to other aspects of the cultural revolution including the written and spoken language that required greater emphasis on education, literacy, and an economic foundation to support them. Literature was also a means of influencing the educated ranks, by both critics and the establishment as seen within the courts of Elizabeth and Catherine II. The new literary direction would have lasting effects in the arts and sciences, becoming a symbol of the Westernization of Russia.
