Large Hermitage halls. The most luxurious halls of the Hermitage
Wrote in October 12th, 2012
Original taken from bolivar_s in A walk through the halls of the Hermitage. Part 3.
A walk through the halls of the Hermitage. Part 3. The word Hermitage comes from the French “ermitage” (secluded corner). In one of the premises of the Small Hermitage, by order of Catherine II, a room was built with two tables that rose from the first floor. The raised tables were already set and it was possible to dine without the help of servants, in this secluded corner.
The beginning of the museum's collection dates back to 1764, when the German merchant Gotzkowski gave Russia his collection of 225 paintings as a debt. They were placed in the Small Hermitage. Catherine II ordered the purchase of all valuable works of art exhibited at auctions abroad. Gradually, the premises of the Small Palace became insufficient. And works of art began to be placed in a newly built building called the Old Hermitage.
Five buildings connected to each other on Palace Embankment make up the Hermitage museum complex:
* Winter Palace (1754 - 1762, architect B. F. Rastrelli)
* Small Hermitage (1764 - 1775, architects J. B. Vallin-Delamot, Yu. M. Felten, V. P. Stasov). The Small Hermitage complex includes the Northern and Southern Pavilions, as well as the famous Hanging Garden
* Great Hermitage (1771 - 1787, architect Yu. M. Felten)
* New Hermitage(1842 - 1851, architects Leo von Klenze, V. P. Stasov, N. E. Efimov)
* Hermitage Theater (1783 - 1787, architect G. Quarenghi)
View from the Neva of the complex of buildings of the State Hermitage: from left to right the Hermitage Theater - the Bolshoi (Old) Hermitage - the Small Hermitage - the Winter Palace; (The New Hermitage is located behind the Bolshoi)
Great (Old) Hermitage
Soviet staircase Since 1828, the first floor of the Great Hermitage was occupied by the State Council and the Committee of Ministers, for which a new entrance and a new Soviet staircase were built in the western part of the building (architect A. I. Stackenschneider).
The interior is designed in light colors: the walls are decorated with panels and pilasters made of white and pink artificial marble, the upper platform is decorated with white marble columns. The plafond “The Virtues Present Russian Youth to the Goddess Minerva” decorated the Oval Hall, which was originally located on the site of the staircase. The only accent in the interior is a malachite vase (Ekaterinburg, 1850s). The name of the staircase is explained by the fact that in the 19th century. on the ground floor of the building there were premises State Council.
Upper platform of the Soviet Stairs
Halls of the Great Hermitage
The first floor of the building is occupied by administrative premises and the directorate of the State Hermitage. These premises were once occupied by the State Council, and since 1885 - by the Tsarskoye Selo Arsenal.
Halls of Italian painting of the XIII-XVIII centuries
The halls of the second floor (former living rooms of the Nadvornaya Enfilade and the halls of the Front Enfilade along the Neva) display works by Renaissance masters: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Giorgione, Titian.
Titian Hall The Titian Hall is one of the rooms in the Outer Enfilade of the Old (Large) Hermitage, designed by A.I. Stackenschneider in the 1850s. These apartments were intended for noble guests of the imperial court. 19th century decoration Only partially preserved in the interior. During the restoration carried out in 2003, the walls were painted to match the color of the damask with which the room was previously upholstered, according to archival data. Paintings on display in the hall late period the works of Titian (Tiziano Vecellio, 1488-1576) - the great Venetian artist of the Renaissance. Among them are “Danae”, “Penitent Mary Magdalene”, “Saint Sebastian”.
Danae
Penitent Mary Magdalene
Hall of Italian art of the 13th - early 15th centuries.
The reception room, like all the halls of the front suite of the Old (Great) Hermitage, was designed by A. Stackenschneider in 1851-1860. The hall is an excellent example of an interior from the historicist era. Columns of green jasper and pilasters decorated with paintings, gilded ornaments of the ceiling and desudéportes, doors decorated with porcelain medallions give the hall a special elegance. The hall displays works by Italian artists of the 13th - early 15th centuries, including “Cross with a Crucifixion” by Ugolino di Tedice, a panel of Simone Martini’s diptych “Madonna” from the “Annunciation” scene, “Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary and St. John” by Nicolo Gerini .
Madonna from the Annunciation scene by Simone Martini
"Calvary" Ugolino Lorenzetti
Art Hall Italy XVI V.
The hall was part of the outer enfilade of the Old (Great) Hermitage, designed by A. Stackenschneider in the middle of the 19th century. The interior decoration has not been preserved. During the restoration in 2003, the walls became painted to match the color of the damask with which the room was previously upholstered, according to archival data. Now the works of Venetian painters of the 16th century are presented here, such as Jacopa Palma the Elder, Lorenzo Lotto, Giovanni Battista Cima de Conegliano. Among the masterpieces of the museum's collection is the painting "Judith" by Giorgione (circa 1478-1510) - one of the few original works founder Venetian school.
Jacopo Palma the Elder - Madonna and Child with Customers
Giorgione - Judith
Hall of Leonardo da Vinci
The Double-Light Hall of the Old (Great) Hermitage presents masterpieces of the museum - two works the greatest master Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci - "Benois Madonna", one of the few undisputed creations of the master, and "Madonna Litta". The decoration of the hall (architect A.I. Stackenschneider, 1858) combines light stucco with colored stone (porphyry and jasper columns, lapis lazuli inserts in marble fireplaces) and gilding. The hall is decorated with picturesque panels and lampshades. The doors are decorated in the "boulle" style - with plates of tortoiseshell and gilded brass.
Leonardo da Vinci. Madonna with a Flower (Benois Madonna) (1478)
The most famous painting Hermitage. Leonardo da Vinci. Madonna and Child (Madonna Litta) (1490 - 1491)
Loggias of Raphael
Raphael's loggias are located in the Great Hermitage.
The prototype of the Loggias, built by order of Empress Catherine II in the 1780s. The architect G. Quarenghi designed the famous gallery of the Vatican Palace in Rome, painted according to the sketches of Raphael. Copies of the frescoes were made using the tempera technique by a group of artists under the direction of H. Unterberger. On the vaults of the gallery there is a cycle of paintings on biblical subjects - the so-called "Raphael's Bible". The walls are decorated with grotesque ornaments, the motifs of which arose in Raphael’s paintings under the influence of paintings in the “grottoes” - the ruins of the “Golden House” (the palace of the ancient Roman emperor Nero, 1st century).
Small Hermitage
Northern Pavilion of the Small Hermitage. View from Palace Embankment.
Southern Pavilion of the Small Hermitage from Palace Square
Pavilion Hall
The pavilion hall of the Small Hermitage was created in the middle of the 19th century. A. I. Stackenschneider. The architect combined architectural motifs of antiquity, renaissance and the east in the interior design. The combination of light marble with gilded stucco decoration and the elegant shine of crystal chandeliers gives the interior a special effect. The hall is decorated with four marble fountains - variations of the “Fountain of Tears” of the Bakhchisarai Palace in Crimea. In the southern part of the hall, a mosaic is built into the floor - a copy of the floor found during excavations of ancient Roman baths. The hall displays the Peacock clock (J. Cox, 1770s), acquired by Catherine II, and a collection of mosaic works.
Eduard Petrovich Gau
Tutukin, Pyotr Vasilievich - Types of halls of the Winter Palace. Pavilion Hall
Kolb Alexander Khristoforovich - Types of halls of the Small Hermitage. Pavilion Hall
The famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is rightfully considered one of the most significant art and historical museums in the whole world. The complex of five majestic buildings housing numerous exhibits is one of the most unique architectural monuments in Russia.
Today, the extensive collection of the museum complex includes more than three million different works of art, from exhibits of ancient times to modern masterpieces.
The uniqueness of the Hermitage
State Museum The Hermitage is interesting not only a huge amount exhibits, according to their location. Before the revolution it was imperial, so it is preserved here unique interiors period, magnificent marble staircases, gilded furniture and crystal chandeliers.
Visitors have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of that time and appreciate the beauty and luxury of the surrounding environment.
History of creation
The year of foundation of the Hermitage is considered to be 1764, when, by order of Catherine II, in several halls of the Winter Palace, which was at that time one of imperial residences, an exhibition of paintings was founded. These 225 paintings were accepted by the Empress from the German merchant Gotzkowsky as payment for the debt of the Russian Empire. The idea was a success. Therefore, the empress continued to collect exhibits.
On her orders, sculptures and paintings by famous painters were bought, and an interesting collection of carved stone was acquired. It soon turned out that several halls for the collected masterpieces were no longer enough. They decided to build a separate building. It was erected in 1764-1767 and subsequently became known as the Small Hermitage.
In 1775, on the coast of the Neva, the architect Yuri Felten built a luxuriously decorated structure called the Great Hermitage.
In 1783-1787, the architect built the Hermitage Theater on the site of the former personal residence of Emperor Peter I.
Formation of Hermitage exhibitions
At the beginning of its existence, the museum's collection was replenished through the purchase of painting collections belonging to European aristocratic families. Then they started purchasing individual works brilliant masters. For example, Emperor Alexander I bought the painting “The Lute Player” by Caravaggio.
By the end of the 18th century, the Hermitage collections contained paintings by Rembrandt, Raphael, Giorgione, Rubens and many others famous artists. Various works of art were purchased abroad especially for Hermitage exhibitions. These are sculptures, gold and silver items, books, coins and much more.
Some masterpieces were commissioned from masters specifically to add to the Hermitage collection. IN early XIX century, the museum also began to exhibit interesting archaeological finds.
By the middle of the 19th century, the New Hermitage building was built to store and display the ever-increasing number of exhibits. Museum complex acquired its final form.
Museum halls
The layout of the Hermitage halls numbers about 350 various rooms, which houses the richest collection of the museum’s masterpieces. The interiors of the premises themselves are often also works of art, such as the majestic gallery of the Loggia of Raphael, commissioned by Catherine.
It is an exact copy of the Vatican original. The entire gallery, including the ceiling, is decorated with analogues of Raphael’s paintings, which were made by a group of artists under the direction of X. Unterberger.
No less remarkable are the ancient halls of the Hermitage, inner space which fully corresponds to the presented collections. Often the interior of the halls is painted with Greek and Egyptian motifs and numerous columns. Objects from many localities and eras are collected here. For example, a huge slab covered with inscriptions from the square of ancient Palmyra (Palmyra script) or realistic antique sculptures.
The Greek halls of the Hermitage amaze with the abundance of authentic antique statues, vases, amphorae, and lamps.
Remarkable famous sculpture"Venus of Tauride", which was purchased by Peter the Great from Pope Clement XI.
How are the exhibitions arranged?
For guests visiting the majestic museum complex for the first time, it is quite difficult to understand the complex intersections of galleries and passages. A detailed description of the Hermitage with room numbers is located at the entrance to the museum. The same can be obtained for free from the cashiers when purchasing tickets, or you can use a very convenient and detailed online guide to the museum.
All rooms of the museum complex are numbered to make them easier to navigate. But many particularly noteworthy halls have their own names.
The names of the Hermitage halls can also reflect the essence of the collections presented in them. In particular, the Hall of Ancient Egypt or the Hall of Leonardo da Vinci.
Sometimes the name of a museum room may arise from its external features or interior details. For example, this is how the White Hall, built by A.P. Bryullov in honor of the wedding of the future Emperor Alexander II in 1841, got its name. Its interior was done in white colors and decorated with statues of ancient Roman deities and numerous columns.
Often the names of the Hermitage halls were given to perpetuate the memory of significant people or events. For example, Petrovsky Hall was named after the founder of the city, Peter the Great. It is also called the Small Throne.
Masterpieces of painting
In one short article it is impossible to even simply list all the paintings by great painters presented in the Hermitage exhibitions.
Among the most remarkable, you can see two works by the famous Renaissance painter Leonardo da Vinci. These are the Benois Madonna and the Litta Madonna. In total, 14 original paintings by him are known in the world, and two of them are in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg!
In the museum you can also get acquainted with an impressive collection of paintings by medieval Spanish masters. Of course, one of the pearls of this Hermitage exhibition is the painting “Breakfast” by Diego Velazquez. This canvas The court painter of the Spanish King Philip VI surprises with its optical visual illusion: it seems that the painting depicts four people, but in fact only three characters are having breakfast.
On the diagram of the Hermitage halls you can see names such as the Rembrandt Hall or Snyders’ “Bench”. The richest collection of paintings by Dutch painters of the 16th-17th centuries is presented separately.
The works of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists are on the third floor of the Winter Palace. Here you can admire the paintings of Monet, Renoir, Picasso and many other brilliant masters of painting.
Storerooms of the Hermitage
On the diagram of the Hermitage halls you can see names such as Jewelry Gallery No. 1 and No. 2. They are called Gold and Diamond. Talking names! Of course, you can view valuable works of art made of precious stones and gold there.
Admission to these galleries is not included in the price. entrance ticket. They must be paid separately. A visit is only possible with a scheduled excursion. Photography and video shooting are prohibited there, but the impression of seeing the beauty of the creations of ancient masters will last for a long time.
Almost everyone knows about the famous one, but the collection of Siberian gold formed by Peter the Great is in no way inferior in skill and expressiveness. It consists of items collected on the territory of Western Siberia in early XVIII century. This selection of exhibits can rightfully be called the earliest archaeological collection in Russia.
Some works of ancient jewelers date back to the seventh century BC. That is why the skill and precision of the execution of masterpieces is amazing.
For connoisseurs of the beauty and brilliance of natural stones, a visit to the Diamond Storeroom will be educational. It contains the jewelry of Russian autocrats. These are snuff boxes and boxes of all shapes and sizes, watches and fans, decorated with a scattering of diamonds.
You can also see unique creations of the work - copies of the imperial crown, scepter and orb reduced by ten times.
Even if you want to, it is impossible to even briefly examine all the exhibitions, halls and galleries of the museum complex in one day. Therefore, it is better to decide in advance on the most preferred collections and think through your route. A more than detailed and understandable interactive guide to the Hermitage can help with this.
It should be taken into account that the state rooms and collections of paintings by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci are the most popular among museum guests. It is more advisable to visit them in the afternoon, when the number of tourists has significantly decreased.
It’s better to start your tour from the first floor of the Winter Palace, where the halls dedicated to the art of ancient centuries are located. In the morning hours it is usually deserted.
Although everyone has their own interests, and therefore it is impossible to create a route that is equally educational for everyone.
Visiting a museum with children
If you plan to visit the museum with children, it is better to make this excursion short so as not to “oversaturate” the child with impressions.
Despite the thoroughness and solidity of the galleries of the museum complex, there are rooms for children in the Hermitage that will certainly interest children. The boy will definitely enjoy visiting the Knights' Hall, where a rich collection of medieval knightly armor and weapons is presented. The exhibition even includes a set of children's armor that a little knight will definitely love.
And the girl will definitely be impressed and surprised beautiful interiors state rooms, images of children and animals in paintings, as well as the unique Hanging Garden.
And, of course, children will be interested in visiting the Hall of Ancient Egypt, seeing a real mummy and many most interesting statues with animal heads.
Tours of the Hermitage
The museum complex is simply huge, so navigating around it, despite the presence of a diagram of the Hermitage halls, is quite problematic. Therefore, it is recommended to use the services of a guide.
The tours are conducted by museum employees who thoroughly know the history of each work of art and many interesting facts about them.
Traditional sightseeing tour of the Hermitage. It lasts approximately four hours. It includes inspection of all the most famous exhibits of the museum. It can be expanded if you plan a visit to the Jewelry Galleries or the Menshikov Palace.
There are also thematic excursions for parents with children (at least six years old), during which children get acquainted with world masterpieces in a fun and understandable way.
Furry guardians of the Hermitage
One of the interesting facts about the functioning of the museum is that for 240 years cats have been protecting its collection from possible damage by rodents. Empress Catherine also ordered large cats, which were good at hunting mice, to be brought to the Hermitage to protect the museum’s masterpieces.
This tradition exists to this day - approximately sixty cats “work” on the museum’s territory. There is even a special holiday dedicated to guard cats; museum workers celebrate it on March 28.
The Hermitage is a huge museum. Its rich collections contain about 3 million exhibits, and its exhibition area is about 50 thousand square meters. m. It’s not surprising to get lost in it. Therefore, take a map of the museum at the entrance and select those rooms that particularly interest you - you still won’t be able to see everything in one visit.
If you want to get a general idea of the museum, we recommend that you climb the main Ambassadorial staircase to the second floor of the palace and go through the solemn and luxurious Field Marshal, Peter and Armorial halls to the Military Gallery of 1812, dedicated to victory Russian army over Napoleon. Pushkin sang this gallery in the famous lines:
The Russian Tsar has a chamber in his palace;
She is not rich in gold or velvet;
It is not where the crown diamond is kept behind glass;
But from top to bottom, all the way around,
With your free and wide brush,
It was painted by a quick-eyed artist.
The walls of this gallery are hung with hundreds of portraits of Russian generals who took part in the war with Napoleonic army. Immediately behind it is the majestic Great Throne (Georgievsky) a hall with a royal throne under a canopy, from where we go to the Small Hermitage, famous for its magnificent Pavilion Hall (note the mosaic on the floor and the famous Peacock clock with moving animal figures).
From the Small Hermitage we move to the Big Hermitage, where the Pinakothek itself begins (collection of paintings). Italian painting presented in the Hermitage in more than 40 halls. One of the most antique paintings Italian collection - “Madonna” by the Siena master Simone Martini. This is one of the wings of the folding diptych “The Annunciation”, created in the 14th century. Two parallel galleries of the Great Hermitage are dedicated respectively to the Florentine and Venetian painting, Any of them will bring Leonardo da Vinci into the hall (Florentine - straight, from the Venetian you will need to turn left from the Titian Hall).
There are usually always a lot of people in the magnificent Leonardo da Vinci hall. You'll have to stand in line to see his early painting "Benois Madonna" ("Madonna with a Flower") and to the famous “Madonna Litta” of the master’s Milanese period. From the Great Hermitage we will move to the New Hermitage, where the Italian collection continues, we will definitely look at two paintings by Raphael - painted in at a young age“Madonna Conestabile” and the later “Holy Family”, on the sculpture “Crouching Boy” by Michelangelo and we will go into the stunning Loggias of Raphael - an exact copy of the Vatican creation of the great master, created for Catherine II by the architect Quarenghi. And everywhere you look, there are not only great paintings and sculptures, but also magnificent interiors, breathtaking parquet floors, fireplaces, paintings, huge malachite and lapis lazuli vases and tables, lamps made of rhodonite, jasper and porphyry, bronze candelabra and chandeliers. Even ordinary doors here are real, richly decorated works of art.
Let's move from the Italian halls to the Spanish ones, there are only two of them, but the names of the presented masters are one more famous than the other: El Greco, Murillo, Velazquez, even Goya is in the Hermitage! Nearby is the famous Rembrandt room, one of largest collections of his paintings outside of Holland. And what pictures! "Return prodigal son", "The Descent from the Cross", "The Holy Family" and many other world-famous works by the master. In general, Dutch painting is represented very widely in the museum, almost a thousand paintings Dutch painters is stored in it. Walk through the Hall of Little Dutchmen, admire their masterfully verified, detailed and stunningly authentic landscapes, still lifes, and everyday scenes. Visit the Rubens Hall (huge collection, about 40 paintings) and to the hall of the famous portrait painter Van Dyck. Then, along the perimeter of the Hermitage complex, but on the other side, return to the Winter Palace - a magnificent collection awaits you there French art- paintings by masters of the 18th century, furniture, ceramics, tapestries.
From the Claude Lorrain room, turn right and take the stairs or elevator to the third floor. It is not as ornate as the second one (not kings lived here, but auxiliary personnel), but there is an amazing collection of French impressionists and post-impressionists. Admire paintings by Claude Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Pablo Picasso. Then go down the oak stairs again to the second floor and go to the living quarters, decorated for the wedding of Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich (future Emperor Alexander II) with Maria Alexandrovna, Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt.
In the spacious White Hall - the largest and most ceremonial room of the “new half” of the Winter Palace - the newlyweds held balls and celebrations. Pay attention to the huge 18th-century Sevres porcelain vase located here, painted in blue and decorated with gilded bronze. Then enter the stunning Golden Drawing Room, with its walls completely gilded and now displaying a collection of cameos. (carved stones), purchased by Catherine II from the Duke of Orleans. The next room is Maria Alexandrovna's Crimson Living Room. They played music here, which is reminiscent of the crimson silk on the walls with the image musical instruments. Behind the Raspberry living room there is a red and gold boudoir, decorated in the style of the second Rococo, the Blue bedroom, the bathroom and dressing room of Maria Alexandrovna. The bedroom space is now used for temporary exhibitions.
Then we go out into the hall where there is a carnival sleigh of the 18th century, made in the shape of the figure of St. George with a spear, from where we can continue our journey either along a long Dark corridor without windows, where unique trellises that are harmful are stored sunlight, or in the halls dedicated to Russian art XVIII V. Both of these paths will lead us to the rotunda - a round room with a wonderful parquet floor, which served as a connecting link between the apartments located in different parts of the palace. Behind the rotunda there were living quarters, among which it is worth noting the White (Small) dining room of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, known to those that it was in it that the ministers of the Provisional Government were arrested during October revolution (the clock on the fireplace shows the time when this happened historical event, - 2 hours 10 minutes at night). In general, the meeting place of the Provisional Government was the adjacent room - the magnificent Malachite living room, decorated with columns, pilasters, fireplaces, tables, vases and other decorative items made of malachite using the Russian mosaic technique.
Then along the long corridor we return again to the front embassy (Jordanian) stairs On the way, be sure to stop by Concert hall, where the silver shrine of St. Alexander Nevsky from the Alexander Nevsky Lavra is now located, and in amazing its size (more than 1100 sq. m) huge Nikolaevsky (Big) hall. From the Nicholas Hall, in which the most magnificent palace holidays were once held, and now temporary art exhibitions, through the Antechamber, decorated with a malachite rotunda, presented to Nicholas I by the richest family of owners of the Ural factories, the Demidovs, we go out again to the Ambassadorial Staircase.
Then, if you still have the strength to continue the inspection, you can go to the first floor. After descending the stairs, turn left, where the museum cafeteria is located. You might also want to take a break and relax a bit with a cup of coffee. Then go further along the same corridor and turn left - you will find yourself in a large gloomy hall of Ancient Egypt, where, among other things, a real mummy of an Egyptian priest of the 10th century is exhibited. BC. The Egyptian collection of the Hermitage is interesting because it represents all periods of the history of Ancient Egypt.
Leaving the Egyptian Hall and walking a little forward, we turn left and find ourselves in the hall with the huge Kolyvan Vase - the largest of all the Hermitage vases. Its weight is almost 19 tons, its height is 2 m 69 cm. It was carved from a monolith of Revnev jasper over 14 years, from 1829 to 1843. The vase, made at the Kolyvan factory in Altai, was transported to St. Petersburg on special carts by more than 120 horses. It was installed in this hall when its walls were not yet completed. Now the vase can no longer be taken out of here - its dimensions do not allow it to pass through the doors, so you can be sure that you will always find the Kolyvan vase in its place.
Walking a little forward, you will find yourself in a huge Twenty-Column Hall, decorated with monolithic columns of gray granite and mosaics on the floor, made in the likeness of Roman ones. In this hall there is a real kingdom of antique vases and amphorae, the most famous of which - the black-glazed Kumeka vase, the so-called “Queen of Vases” - is located in the center of the hall, under a special glass cover. Created in the 4th century. BC, it was found in the ruins of a temple in Cumae. This vase dedicated underground gods and fertility deities, is decorated with relief and retains gilding and traces of bright colors to this day. The far part of the hall is occupied by a small but very interesting and original Etruscan collection.
From the Twenty-Column Hall, return to hall 129 and turn left into hall 127. Walking in this direction, you will be able to walk around the entire first floor of the New Hermitage and see the wonderful collections ancient art. The most notable are the huge statue of Jupiter and the famous Venus of Tauride. The statue of Jupiter, 3 m 47 cm high, was found in the country villa of the Roman emperor Domitian. Venus Tauride was purchased from the Pope during the time of Peter I and became the first ancient monument, which appeared in Russia in the 1720s, At first it stood in Summer Garden, then ended up in the Tauride Palace, which is why it began to be called Tauride. In general, art ancient world The museum has more than 20 halls dedicated to it. Ancient Greece, Ancient Italy and Rome, the Northern Black Sea region are represented here by the richest collections of vases, carved stones, jewelry, sculptures, and terracottas. In addition, pay attention to the design of the halls themselves on this floor - one is more beautiful than the other. Having completed the circle around the first floor, through the hall of Ancient Egypt you again exit into the central lobby of the museum.
In addition, the Hermitage has another unique opportunity - to visit the Gold and Diamond Storerooms, where stunning items made of precious metals and stones are stored. What's missing here! Jewelry for every taste, from different countries and eras - from Scythian and Greek gold to jewelry masterpieces of the early 20th century. Pendants, bracelets, rings of Athenian dandies and Russian royal fashionistas, watches, snuff boxes, precious weapons and much more. The famous geologist and expert on natural minerals, Academician Fersman, wrote about this collection: “The Gallery of Jewels, now called the Special Storeroom, creates a complete picture of one of the most beautiful arts - jewelry. In the department of trinkets, fans, snuff boxes, toiletries, watches, bonbonnieres, knobs, rings, rings, etc. so much taste has been demonstrated, such an understanding of the decorative features of stone, such mastery of composition, such virtuosity of technique that, admiring these things, you recognize their modest, now forgotten authors as worthy brothers of the great artists whose works hang nearby on the walls art gallery Hermitage".
If you want to see these wonderful collections, then you need to buy a ticket for one of the sessions at the box office in the morning, as soon as you enter the museum. Visits to special storerooms are organized in sessions, only accompanied by a museum guide and are paid separately. You can visit both pantries or choose one of them.
The Golden Treasury presents works of ancient Greek masters, Scythian gold, jewelry from the countries of the East, and magnificent examples of oriental ceremonial weapons. In the Diamond Storeroom you can see ancient gold items, jewelry from the collections of members of the Romanov imperial family and private collections in St. Petersburg, monuments of church art, diplomatic gifts to the Russian court, and products of the famous Faberge company.
Raphael's loggias are a long, majestic gallery with large windows overlooking the Winter Canal and the Hermitage Theater. The gallery was created by order of Empress Catherine the Great from 1783 to 1792 by the architect G. Quarenghi and is a copy of the famous Raphael Loggias in the Vatican Palace of the Pope. All surfaces, walls and ceiling vaults are covered with copies of Raphael's frescoes executed on canvas. The architect Giacomo Quarenghi built the gallery building, and the studio artists, under the direction of Christopher Unterperger, went to the Vatican to create copies of the paintings, which took 11 years.
Rhythmically alternating semicircular arches divide the ceiling into rectangular parts of equal length, each of which contains frescoes on biblical themes. In total, there are 52 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, from the Creation of the world to the Last Supper. These frescoes are often called Raphael's Bible. The craftsmen carefully repeated the wall ornaments - grotesques with an endless variety of elegant motifs.
The Tent Hall - one of the largest in the New Hermitage building - got its name because of the unusual ceiling with coffers, covered with paintings in pastel colors, and a unique gable ceiling. IN decorative painting The interior uses antique motifs. Today, as in the 19th century, the hall houses paintings from the Dutch and Flemish schools, for example, by such famous 17th-century artists as Jacob Ruisdael, Pieter Claes, Willem Kalf, Willem Heda, Jan Steen, Frans Hals and others.
Foyer of the Hermitage Theater
The foyer of the Hermitage Theater was built according to Felten's design in 1783 and is located above the Winter Canal, in the transition gallery between the Great Hermitage and the theater. The decoration of the hall was designed by the architect L. Benois in 1903 in the French Rococo style. Lush floral garlands, scrolls and gilded rocailles frame paintings, openings and wall panels.
On the ceiling there are picturesque inserts - copies of paintings by the 17th century Italian master Luca Giordano: “The Judgment of Paris”, “The Triumph of Galatea” and “The Rape of Europa”. Above the door is a landscape with ruins by the French artist XVIII century Hubert Robert, on the walls - portrait painting XVIII–XIX centuries. Wooden ceilings and rafters from the late 18th century can still be found above the theater's foyer. The high window openings offer unique views of the Neva and the Winter Canal.
Golden Living Room / Maria Alexandrovna's Living Room
The interior of the state drawing room in the apartment of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II, was created by the architect A. P. Bryullov in 1838–1841 after the fire. The interior of the hall seems to replicate the decoration of the royal chambers of the Moscow Kremlin. The low vaulted ceiling of the hall is decorated with gilded stucco ornaments. Initially, the walls and vault, lined with white artificial marble, were decorated with a gilded floral pattern.
In the 1840s, the appearance of the interior was updated according to the drawings of A. I. Stackenschneider. The interior decoration is complemented by a marble fireplace with jasper columns, decorated with bas-relief and mosaic painting, gilded doors and magnificent parquet flooring.
After the assassination of Emperor Alexander II on March 1, 1881, it was here, surrounded by elected members of the State Council, that the new Russian autocrat Alexander III decided fate Russian constitution and the reforms that his father worked on and did not have time to complete.
Alexander Hall
The Alexander Hall of the Winter Palace was created by A.P. Bryullov after the fire of 1837. Architectural design of the hall dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander I and Patriotic War 1812, built on a combination of stylistic variations of Gothic and classicism. Located in the frieze, 24 medallions with allegorical images of the most significant events of the Patriotic War of 1812 and foreign campaigns of 1813–1814 reproduce in enlarged form the medals of the sculptor F. P. Tolstoy. Thin Gothic-style columns and semi-circular arches give the hall a temple-like appearance. The hall houses an exhibition of European artistic silver of the 16th–19th centuries from Germany, France, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, and Lithuania.
Geogrievsky / Great Throne Hall
The St. George (Great Throne) Hall of the Winter Palace was created in 1787–1795 according to the design of G. Quarenghi. The huge two-story room of the hall was designed in a classical style. The hall was consecrated on November 26, 1795 on the day of St. George the Victorious, which is where it got its name. After the fire it was recreated by the architect V.P. Stasov, who preserved compositional solution his predecessor. The double-height columned hall is decorated with Carrara marble and gilded bronze. Above the Throne Place there is a bas-relief “St. George slaying the dragon with a spear.” The ceremonial decoration of the hall corresponds to its purpose: official receptions and ceremonies of the Knights of the Order of St. George the Victorious, established by Catherine, took place here.
The ceiling is metal, suspended from beams like chain bridges. The pattern of gilded ornaments on the ceiling of the hall repeats the pattern of parquet made of 16 types of colored wood, emphasizing the harmonious artistic appearance of the St. George's Hall.
Boudoir of Maria Alexandrovna
Maria Alexandrovna's boudoir, like her living room, was designed by A.P. Bryullov, but in 1853 its interior was completely changed in accordance with the design of the architect Harald Bosse. The small room for the Empress resembles an elegant snuffbox, decorated in the style of the second Rococo. Bosse created fancy ornaments from gilded carved wood and metal. The bright garnet color of silk fabric - brocatelli (silk with metal thread), elegant patterns of ornaments, and upholstered gilded furniture create a feeling of sophistication and comfort. A magnificent bronze gilded chandelier, reflected in the mirrors on the walls and ceiling, complements the spectacular decoration of the interior, making it endless, fragile and graceful.
Peter's Hall / Small Throne Hall
Petrovsky (Small Throne) Hall was created in 1833 by O. Montferrand and restored after a fire in 1837 by V. P. Stasov. The hall is dedicated to the memory of Peter I: the interior decoration includes the emperor’s monogram (two letters P), double-headed eagles and crowns. In a niche designed as Triumphal Arch, there is a painting “Peter I with the allegorical figure of Glory”. At the top of the walls there are paintings representing Peter the Great in the battles of the Northern War - the Battle of Lesnaya, Battle of Poltava. The hall is decorated with silver-embroidered panels made of Lyon velvet and silverware made in St. Petersburg. The silver consoles, floor lamps and chandeliers on display in the Petrovsky Hall were made by the St. Petersburg master Bukh at the turn of the 18th–19th centuries. Not long ago, the hall was restored, regaining its original brightness and solemnity.
Pavilion Hall
The two-height Pavilion Hall of the Small Hermitage was created in the mid-19th century by the architect A. I. Stackenschneider. An architect who brilliantly mastered various architectural techniques historical styles, naturally and gracefully combined Renaissance, Gothic and Oriental motifs in the decoration of the hall. The windows of the hall face both sides and face the Neva and the Hanging Garden. The ceiling and the arcade framing the interior are rich in gilded stucco ornaments. The combination of light marble with gilded stucco decoration and the elegant shine of crystal chandeliers give a special effect. The hall is decorated with four marble fountains - variations of the “Fountain of Tears” of the Bakhchisarai Palace in Crimea. In the southern part of the hall, a mosaic is built into the floor - a copy of the floor found during excavations of ancient Roman baths. The masterpiece of the room, of course, is the Peacock clock, purchased by Catherine II from the English master J. Cox.
Library of Nicholas II
The library, which belonged to the personal chambers of the last Russian emperor, was created in 1894–1895 by the architect A. F. Krasovsky. The interior of the library, designed using English medieval motifs, is decorated using wood and embossed gilded leather. All interior details and furniture, windows with openwork frames are stylized with Gothic carvings. An important element was the monumental Gothic fireplace, decorated with images of griffins and lions - heraldic figures of the family coats of arms of the House of Romanov and the House of Hesse-Darmstadt, to which the Empress belonged. The coffered walnut ceiling is decorated with four-bladed rosettes. Bookcases are located along the walls and in the choirs, where the stairs lead. On the table is a sculptural porcelain portrait of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II.
Da Vinci, Rubens, Titian, Raphael, Rembrandt, Giorgione, El Greco, Caravaggio, Velazquez, Goya, Gainsborough, Poussin - the richest collection of masterpieces of world art is collected. What works should you definitely not pass by?
Two Madonnas by da Vinci (room No. 214)
The incomparable Leonardo da Vinci is represented in the Hermitage (and in Russia in general!) by only two works - “Benois Madonna” and “Madonna Litta”. " Madonna Benoit"The artist painted at about 26 years old, and this painting is considered one of his first works as an independent painter. “Madonna Litta” causes a lot of controversy among experts because of the image of the baby, which is solved in a manner atypical for the master. Perhaps Christ was depicted by one of da Vinci's students.
Peacock clock (room No. 204)
The Peacock watch, which is very difficult to spot without an excited crowd around, was made in the workshop of the famous London jeweler James Cox. Before us is a mechanical composition in which every detail is thought out with fantastic precision. Every Wednesday at 20:00 the clock is wound and the figures of a peacock, rooster and owl begin to move. We remind you that on Wednesdays the Hermitage is open until 21:00.
“Danae”, “Penitent Mary Magdalene” and “Saint Sebastian” by Titian (room No. 221)
The Hermitage collection includes several paintings by one of the titans of the Renaissance, including “Danae”, “Penitent Mary Magdalene” and “Saint Sebastian”, executed in a recognizable Titian manner. All three are among the main works of the artist and the pride of the museum.
“The Crouching Boy” by Michelangelo Buonarroti (room no. 230)
It takes about seven years to see all the works from the Hermitage collection and spend at least one minute near each one.
This sculpture is the only work by Michelangelo Buonarroti in Russia. The marble statue was intended for the Medici Chapel in the Church of San Lorenzo (Florence). It is believed that the figure of the boy represents the oppression of the Florentines in the years when the city lost its independence.
“Cupid and Psyche” by Antonio Canova (hall No. 241)
The Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova repeatedly turned to the myth of Cupid and Psyche, described by Apuleius in Metamorphoses. Frozen in marble, the love story of the god Cupid and the mortal girl Psyche is one of the master’s most famous works. The Hermitage houses the author’s repetition of the composition, while the original is presented in the Louvre.
"Danae" and "Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt (room No. 254)
The work of an outstanding master of chiaroscuro and one of the key artists of the Golden Age Dutch painting is represented in the Hermitage by 13 works, among which are “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and “Danae”. The latter was vandalized in 1985: sulfuric acid was poured onto the canvas. Fortunately, the masterpiece was restored.
“Perseus and Andromeda” by Peter Paul Rubens (hall No. 247)
There are a lot of Rubens in the Hermitage - 22 paintings and 19 sketches. Among the most striking works is the painting “Perseus and Andromeda”, which is based on the famous ancient myth. Every detail of the canvas glorifies beauty, strength and health, proclaims the triumph of light over dark.
Ancient Roman sculpture (halls No. 107, 109 and 114)
On the ground floor of the New Hermitage you can get acquainted with a magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculpture. Works that are repetitions of ancient Greek masterpieces are displayed in the halls of Dionysus, Jupiter and Hercules. One of the most famous sculptures is the majestic statue of Jupiter.
The most luxurious halls of the Hermitage
Like any museum located in a former royal residence, the Hermitage is interesting not only for its exhibits, but also for its interiors. Leading architects of the era worked on the design of the halls of the Winter Palace - Auguste Montferrand, Vasily Stasov, Giacomo Quarenghi, Andrei Stackenschneider and others.
Petrovsky (Small Throne) Hall (No. 194)
The incredibly beautiful hall, designed by Auguste Montferrand, was intended for small receptions. The interior decoration includes a lot of gold and red colors, double-headed eagles, crowns, and an imperial monogram. The central place is given to the throne of Peter the Great.
Armorial Hall (No. 195)
The coat of arms hall, designed by Vasily Stasov, served for special occasions. The decor is dominated by gold color; the room is illuminated by massive chandeliers, on which, if you look closely, you can see the coats of arms of Russian cities.
The total length of the Hermitage halls is about 25 kilometers
St. George (Great Throne) Hall (No. 198)
The main hall of the Winter Palace, where large official ceremonies took place, was designed by Giacomo Quarenghi and, after the fire of 1837, restored by Vasily Stasov. Above the throne is a marble bas-relief depicting St. George the Victorious. In the interior, the image of a double-headed eagle appears dozens of times.
Pavilion Hall (No. 204)
One of the most magnificent rooms of the palace - the Pavilion Hall - is the brainchild of Andrei Stackenschneider. Refined and harmonious, it combines ancient, Moorish and Renaissance motifs. Large windows, arches, white marble, and crystal chandeliers saturate it with light and air. The interior is complemented by snow-white statues, complex mosaics, and shell fountains. By the way, this is where the Peacock clock is located.
Loggias of Raphael (room No. 227)
Raphael's loggias in the Vatican captivated Catherine II, and she wanted to create an exact copy of them in Winter Palace. The artists of the workshop, led by Christopher Unterperger, worked on creating a gallery of murals for 11 years. The result was 52 stories from the Old and New Testaments. We didn’t forget about the elegant wall ornaments.
Skylights of the New Hermitage (halls No. 237, 238 and 239)
The largest halls of the New Hermitage have glass ceilings, and therefore are called skylights. There are three of them - Small Spanish Clearance, Large Italian Clearance and Small Italian Clearance. The rooms are decorated with reliefs, floor lamps made of rhodonite and porphyry, as well as huge vases - masterpieces of stone-cutting art.
Alexander Hall (No. 282)
The hall was created by Alexander Bryullov in memory of Alexander I and the Patriotic War of 1812. Decorated in white and blue tones, thanks to thin columns and semicircular arches, it resembles a temple. The interior is decorated with 24 medallions that tell about key events wars with the French.
Personal living room of Maria Alexandrovna (room No. 304)
Another luxurious room is the personal living room of Alexander II’s wife Maria Alexandrovna, the interior of which was designed by Alexander Bryullov. According to his idea, the decoration of the room was to resemble the royal chambers of the Moscow Kremlin. The walls shine in all shades of gold, and the low vaulted ceilings with ornaments create the feeling of being in an ancient mansion.
Boudoir of Maria Alexandrovna (hall No. 306)
The small room, designed by Harald Bosse, resembles a miracle snuff box in the Rococo style. The gold color here is combined with garnet, the walls are decorated with fancy ornaments and picturesque inserts. Many mirrors create corridors of reflections.
Malachite living room (room No. 189)
The malachite living room was created by Alexander Bryullov after the fire of 1837 on the site of Yashmova. The interior has elegant malachite columns, marble walls, and a gilded ceiling. The hall looks both strict and solemn. The living room was part of Alexandra Feodorovna’s living half.
Route around the museum
What we described above is just the tip of the cultural iceberg that is the Hermitage. But, believe me, getting to know the listed masterpieces and magnificent halls will give you not only aesthetic pleasure, but also the desire to deepen your knowledge, come to the museum again and again, discover new exhibits and corners and return with pleasure to the ones you already know.
Summarizing all of the above, we offer you a route through the museum, which includes the most famous works The Hermitage and the incredible beauty of the hall.
So, you are in the museum. Grab your free map at the entrance, climb the magnificent Jordan Staircase and proceed to the Peter's Hall (No. 194). From there - to the Armorial Hall (No. 195), and then - through the Military Gallery of 1812 (Hall No. 197) to the St. George Hall (Hall No. 198). Move straight all the way, turn left and go all the way again: you will find yourself in the Pavilion Hall (No. 204). The Peacock clock awaits you here. Go to the next numbered room and move to room No. 214: da Vinci’s “Madonnas” are exhibited here. Next on the course is Titian, who can be seen very close - in room No. 221.
Move to the next numbered hall, walk a little forward, turn right, and you will see the magnificent Loggias of Raphael (room No. 227). From them you need to go to room No. 230, where “The Crouching Boy” is presented. Move through Italian and Spanish art to room No. 240. The next three rooms (No. 239, 238 and 237) are those same gaps. Go straight from them to room No. 241, where “Cupid and Psyche” is located. Go through hall no. 239 again, from there move to hall no. 251 and go to hall no. 254, where you can see Rembrandt. Turn around and walk all the way (room no. 248), turn left and you will find yourself surrounded by canvases by Peter Paul Rubens (room no. 247).
Now there will be a longer transition: turn around, go to hall No. 256, from there to hall No. 272. Turn left and go forward all the way. Now - right and forward to the Alexander Hall (No. 282). Go to hall No. 290 and move straight (so that Palace Square is on the left). When you reach Hall 298, turn left and then right. Again, go straight ahead to Maria Alexandrovna’s private living room (room No. 304). From there, proceed to the boudoir of the wife of Alexander II (room No. 306). Go to hall No. 307, turn left and go all the way (hall No. 179). Here turn right, then left and go forward to the Malachite Living Room (room No. 189). This is the last point of our route, at least on the second floor.
Go to the Jordan Staircase through halls No. 190-192 and go down to the first floor. If you have any strength left, take a look into the halls of the ancient world, which are located on the left side if you stand with your back to the stairs. If you don’t have the strength, don’t be upset and come next time! Dionysus, Jupiter, and thousands of other inhabitants of the Hermitage will be waiting for you.