Beautiful: BeautifulMag Cover Story

PETER THE GREAT RULED THE TSARDOM OF RUSSIA, AND LATER THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE, FROM 1682 UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1725. PETER WAS 10 YEARS OLD WHEN HE ASCENDED TO THE THRONE AND 52 WHEN HE DIED, BUT IN THIS LIFESPAN HE WON MANY GLORIOUS BATTLES AND EXPANDED THE TSARDOM IN A HUGE EMPIRE THAT BECAME A MAJOR EUROPEAN POWER. PETER WAS THE FIRST OF RUSSIAN RULER TO EMBRACE WESTERN CULTURE AND LEFT SAINT PETERSBURG AS A PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER.

Measuring against todays values, it would be hard to say whether Peter I was the greatest of all Russian royal rulers, but his accomplishments certainly places him in the top ten. Not for nothing was he given the name Peter the Great and his name is often mentioned in a same importance as Tzarina Catherine II and Tsar Alexander II, named the Liberator. Though the foundation of Saint Petersburg is Peter I’s most visible accomplishment, it most certainly wasn’t his most important one. Peter the Great thanks his nickname mostly to the fact he increased the Russian military, enlarged Russian’s geological territory and established the Russian Empire as a strong political power in a Europe that was under constant threat of futile wars. He also reformed the country according to new and refreshing political and cultural ideas, often inspired by one of his voyages to Western countries such as England, France, Austria and The Netherlands. His reforms also an impact on the domestic political structures of Russia that has resonated through Russian history and can still be felt today.

But asides from all that, Peter the Great also had a very specific physical impact. Peter wasn’t an impressive man when it came to physical features if not for his height. He grew up to be 6 ft 8 (203 cm) tall and stood literally head and shoulders above his contemporaries both in Russia and throughout Europe. Peter I died in 1725 leaving behind a flourishing empire that would last until its fall in 1917 as a result of the Russian Revolution.

Today one doesn’t need to win strategic battles nor establish empires or found cities to be great. There are other ways to reach that status. Kindness and generosity for example. Physical presence and celebrity as well. Peter Picciano definitely has the potential. With is classic Roma features and ripped muscular body, Peter Picciano is the fitness model to keep your eye on. Currently residing in New York City, Peter originally comes from Florida. Indeed, the state where we can find that other St. Petersburg. During his brief time in new York Peter has already posed for renowned photographers such as Thomas Synnamon, Rick Day and Mike Ruiz. His night time job at famous NYC gay club Splash most certainly has increased his presence in New York’s scene and many casting agencies have been calling on him. Peter has been featured several times on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen. He also appeared on a recent episode of VH-!'s "The Jenny McCarthy" show as the "Sexy Leprechaun" with "Jersey Shore" stars, Snooki and J-Woww. Even the Canadians have taken notice. In Summer 2012, Peter was the US import for the competition, "Queer of the Year" in Montreal, Quebec.

Kevin D. Hoover, also a New York City resident, often names Thomas Synnamon, Justin Monroe, Mark Henderson, Michael Stokes, Scott Hoover and Rick Day as his contemporary idols. We think he is too modest by not simply placing his own name in that list of great photographers of todays’ male physique. Always on the look out for models who exude masculinity and can step out on the edge, it is no surprise Kevin eventually came to a collaboration with the handsome Peter Picciano: “Peter is amazing. He's sweet, funny, charming and kind. This makes him even more attractive. And more attractive to work with. Yes, he exudes sex appeal.” Of course it is easy to say that a model has sex appeal and great physical presence. It’s part of the job. But Peter Picciano has more than that. He has an infectious playful side as well as a smouldering intensity that really makes him stand out. And it are those qualities that lift him to greatness. That makes Peter Picciano today’s Peter the Great. –BM-