Benjamin Patersen

Since 1790, he sent his works to the annual exhibitions at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, in 1798, he was named its member.

[2] Though he began as a portraitist, at the age of 38 Patersen concentrated on cityscapes and, after moving to St Petersburg, devoted his art to that city.

Around 1800, on a commission by Tsar Paul I, Patersen created a series of works depicting the banks of the Neva, which earned him an appointment as court painter.

Patersen drew most of the prominent buildings of the late XVIII century Petersburg, including the St. Michael's Castle, the Imperial Academy of Arts, the Tauride Palace, etc.

[1] Patersen created over 100 of Petersburg's cityscapes; 33 in oil, the rest watercolours or tinted engravings.