STAROV Ivan Egorovich (1745-1808, St. Petersburg), architect, city-planner, one of the founders of Russian Neoclassicism. Resided in St. Petersburg from 1758. Graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts (1762). Apprenticed with architect C. de Vaillie in Paris (1762-66). Associate academy member (1769), lecturer (professor since 1785), council member, from 1794 adjunct rector of the Academy of Fine Arts. Was involved with the Commission for Stone Construction for St. Petersburg and Moscow (1772-74), Chief Architect of the Urban Planning Bureau of His Imperial Majesty's houses and gardens (1786-98). Starov's constructions in St. Petersburg include: Holy Trinity Cathedral and Our Lady’s Church of Joy for All Who Sorrow (Gate Church) with a circular square in front of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra Entrance (1776-90), and Tauride Palace. Involved in the reconstruction of Anichkov Palace and was involved on the ensembles of Demidovs' mansions in the vicinity of St. Petersburg in Taitsi (from 1774) and Sivoritsi (1775-76), Pell's country residence of Empress Catherine II. In constructing mansions Starov managed to achieve harmonious unity between structure and landscape. Developed plans and construction projects of mansions and cities in Central and Southern Russia. From 1800, he exerted control over the construction of Kazan Cathedral. From 1772, lived on the Sixth Line of Vasilievsky Island; on Simeonovskaya (now Belinskogo) Street (section of what is now house No 9), later in his own house (section of No 1/30), from 1804, on Znamenskaya Street (now Vosstaniya Street, section of No 13), where he died. Buried at Lasarevskoe Cemetery (Necropolis of 18th century).
References: Кючарианц Д. А. Иван Старов. Л., 1982; Ее же. Иван Старов // Зодчие Санкт-Петербурга, XVIII век. СПб., 1997. С. 542-608.
V. A. Frolov.
