What is the State Hermitage Museum and what is its primary distinction in terms of its collection?

The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It holds the largest collection of paintings in the world, showcasing a vast array of artistic and cultural artifacts.

When was the State Hermitage Museum founded, and by whom?

The museum was founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, who acquired an initial collection of paintings from a Berlin merchant named Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

On what date does the Hermitage Museum celebrate its founding anniversary, and why?

The museum celebrates its founding anniversary each year on December 7, which is Saint Catherine's Day, honoring its founder.

Since when has the Hermitage Museum been open to the public?

The Hermitage Museum has been open to the public since 1852, allowing wider access to its extensive collections.

How did the Hermitage Museum rank in terms of visitor numbers in 2022, according to The Art Newspaper?

In 2022, The Art Newspaper ranked the Hermitage Museum as the 10th most visited art museum globally, with 2,812,913 visitors.

What is the approximate size of the Hermitage Museum's collection, and what constitutes a significant portion of it?

The museum's collections comprise over three million items. Notably, the numismatic collection alone accounts for about one-third of the total items.

Which buildings constitute the main museum complex of the Hermitage?

The main museum complex includes six historic buildings along Palace Embankment. These are the Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, Hermitage Theatre, and the eastern wing of the General Staff Building. Additionally, the Menshikov Palace and the Museum of Porcelain are part of the complex.

What is the meaning of the word 'hermitage' and its etymological origin?

A hermitage is defined as the dwelling of a hermit or recluse. The word originates from the Late Latin 'eremita,' meaning 'people who live alone,' which itself derives from the Greek 'erēmos,' meaning 'desert.'

Which buildings in the main Hermitage complex are open to the public?

Five buildings within the main complex are open to the public: the Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and the Hermitage Theatre.

What are the general admission policies for the Hermitage Museum regarding different nationalities and specific days?

Foreign tourists pay a higher entrance fee than citizens of Russia and Belarus. However, the museum offers free admission on the third Thursday of every month for all visitors, and daily for students and children. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Where is the main entrance for individual visitors located within the Hermitage complex?

The entrance for individual visitors is situated in the Winter Palace, accessible from the Courtyard.

What period does the Western European Art collection at the Hermitage cover?

The Western European Art collection encompasses European paintings, sculpture, and applied arts dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries.

When did the Egyptian collection at the Hermitage begin to occupy its dedicated hall, and what significant collection does it include?

Since 1940, the Egyptian collection has been housed in a large hall on the ground floor of the Winter Palace. This collection dates back to 1852 and includes the former Castiglione Collection.

How are the interiors of the ground floor of the Old and New Hermitage buildings designed to house the classical antiquities?

The interiors were designed by architect Leo von Klenze in the Greek Revival style in the early 1850s, utilizing painted stucco and columns made of natural marble and granite.

What is the Kolyvan Vase, and where is it displayed within the Hermitage?

The Kolyvan Vase is a large vase made of jasper, standing 2.57 meters high and weighing 19 tons. It is displayed in the Room of the Great Vase in the western wing of the Hermitage.

What types of artifacts are featured in the Hermitage's classical antiquities collection?

The collection includes Greek artifacts from the third millennium BC to the fifth century BC, ancient Greek pottery, items from Greek colonies on the Black Sea, Hellenistic sculpture and jewelry (like the Gonzaga Cameo), Italic art from the 9th to 2nd century BC, and Roman marble and bronze sculpture and applied art from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD.

What is considered a highlight of the classical antiquities collection, and what was previously thought about its origin?

A highlight is the Tauride Venus. Latest research suggests it is an original Hellenistic Greek sculpture, contrary to the earlier belief that it was a Roman copy.

Where are the prehistoric artifacts and Caucasian art collections located within the Hermitage?

These collections are situated on the ground floor in the western wing of the Winter Palace, alongside the second treasure gallery.

What notable prehistoric artifacts are housed in the Hermitage, and what is significant about them?

The museum holds a renowned collection of artifacts from the nomadic tribes of the Altai, including the world's oldest surviving knotted-pile carpet and a well-preserved wooden chariot, both dating from the 4th-3rd centuries BC.

What types of jewelry and decorative art are displayed in the Hermitage's treasure galleries?

The first treasure gallery features Western jewelry from the 4th millennium BC to the early 20th century AD. The second treasure gallery showcases jewelry from the Pontic steppes, Caucasus, and Asia, with a particular emphasis on Scythian and Sarmatian gold.

What is displayed in the Pavilion Hall, and what is its significance?

The Pavilion Hall, designed by Andrei Stackenschneider, features the 18th-century Peacock Clock by James Cox and a collection of mosaics. It is a notable space within the Small Hermitage.

Which Italian Renaissance artists are represented in the Old Hermitage, and which specific works are mentioned?

The Old Hermitage features works by Italian Renaissance artists such as Giorgione, Titian, and Veronese. Specific works mentioned include the Benois Madonna and Madonna Litta, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci or his school.

What types of artworks from the Italian Renaissance are displayed in the eastern wing of the New Hermitage?

This section displays Italian paintings, sculpture, majolica, and tapestry from the 15th-16th centuries, including Raphael's Conestabile Madonna and Madonna with Beardless St. Joseph.

What kind of artworks are featured in the large interior spaces on the first floor of the New Hermitage?

These spaces, adorned with 19th-century Russian lapidary works, feature Italian and Spanish canvases from the 16th-18th centuries, including works by Veronese, Pittoni, Tintoretto, Velázquez, and Murillo.

What is housed in the Knights' Hall, and what was its original purpose?

The Knights' Hall, originally designed in the Greek revival style for displaying coins, now hosts a collection of Western European arms and armor from the 15th-17th centuries, part of the Hermitage Arsenal collection.

What type of sculptures are featured in the Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting, and who created them?

This gallery features neoclassical marble sculptures by Antonio Canova and his followers. It was designed by Leo von Klenze in the Greek revival style.

Which artistic periods and artists are represented in the galleries along the southern facade and western wing of the New Hermitage?

These areas are dedicated to Dutch Golden Age and Flemish Baroque painting of the 17th century, featuring extensive collections of works by Van Dyck, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

What collections are displayed in the first-floor rooms on the southern facade of the Winter Palace?

These rooms display collections of German fine art from the 16th century and French fine art from the 15th-18th centuries, including paintings by Poussin, Lorrain, and Watteau.

Where are the collections of French decorative art and British fine art exhibited?

Collections of French decorative and applied art from the 17th-18th centuries, along with British applied and fine art from the 16th-19th century (including works by Gainsborough and Reynolds), are displayed in rooms facing the courtyard of the Winter Palace.

What do the richly decorated interiors on the first floor of the Winter Palace exhibit?

These interiors, located on the eastern, northern, and western sides of the Winter Palace, are part of the Russian culture collection and host exhibitions of Russian art from the 11th to 19th centuries.

Where can visitors find French Neoclassical, Impressionist, and post-Impressionist art at the Hermitage?

This art, including works by Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, is displayed on the fourth floor of the Eastern Wing of the General Staff Building.

What modern art movements and artists are featured in the General Staff Building?

Modern art, including works by Matisse, Derain, Picasso, Malevich, Kandinsky, and others, is displayed in the General Staff Building. It also features German Romantic art, with several paintings by Caspar David Friedrich.

What was the initial acquisition that formed the basis of Catherine the Great's art collection?

Catherine the Great began her collection in 1764 with 225 or 317 paintings, primarily Flemish and Dutch works, purchased from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

Which specific famous artworks were part of Catherine the Great's original purchase from Gotzkowsky?

Notable works from this initial purchase include Rembrandt's Danaë and Descent from the Cross, and Frans Hals's Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Glove.

What architectural extensions did Catherine the Great commission for her art collection?

Catherine commissioned Yury Felten to build the Southern Pavilion (completed 1766) and Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe to build the Northern Pavilion (1767-1769), which were connected by galleries and became known as the Small Hermitage.

Was the Hermitage accessible to the public during Catherine the Great's time?

No, during Catherine's time, the Hermitage was not a public museum, and access was very limited.

How did Catherine the Great expand her collection beyond the initial purchase?

She acquired significant collections from Heinrich von Brühl in Saxony, Pierre Crozat in France, Robert Walpole in London, and Count Baudouin in Paris, among others.

What was Catherine the Great's favorite type of item to collect, and how was it represented?

Catherine's favorite items were engraved gems and cameos. An exhibition gallery was devoted to displaying her cameos, including one of herself as Minerva, created by her daughter-in-law.

What major extension was commissioned in 1771 due to the collection outgrowing its space?

In 1771, Catherine commissioned Yury Felten to build another major extension, completed in 1787, which became known as the Large Hermitage or Old Hermitage.

What was the significance of the Raphael Loggias created by Giacomo Quarenghi?

Giacomo Quarenghi designed and built a wing along the Winter Canal with the Raphael Loggias between 1787 and 1792, replicating the loggia in the Apostolic Palace in Rome frescoed by Raphael.

How did Catherine the Great view her role as an art collector?

Catherine took great pride in her collection, viewing it as a means to gain European acknowledgment and portray Russia as an enlightened society. She identified with the Roman deity Minerva, patron of the arts.

What significant acquisition was made by Alexander I in 1815?

In 1815, Alexander I purchased 38 pictures from the heirs of Josèphine de Beauharnais, which were largely looted by the French. This acquisition further solidified the Hermitage's Rembrandt collection as the largest in the world.

Who was commissioned to design a public museum building in 1838, and what was the outcome?

Nicholas I commissioned the architect Leo von Klenze to design a building for the public museum. This resulted in the New Hermitage, built between 1842 and 1851, which opened to the public on February 5, 1852.

What happened to the Hermitage's collections after the October Revolution of 1917?

Following the Revolution, the Imperial Hermitage and the Winter Palace were proclaimed state museums and eventually merged. Private art collections from other palaces were nationalized and redistributed, further expanding the Hermitage's exhibits.

What significant event occurred between 1930 and 1934 regarding the Hermitage collection?

From 1930 to 1934, over two thousand works of art from the Hermitage were sold abroad, either clandestinely at auctions or directly to foreign officials and businesspeople. This included masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, and Van Eyck.

How did the Hermitage collections fare during the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941?

Before the Siege of Leningrad began, a significant portion of the collections was evacuated to Sverdlovsk. The museum buildings sustained damage from bombs and shells during the siege, but the museum reopened after the war.

What art was transferred to the Hermitage in 1948, and from where?

In 1948, 316 works of Impressionist, post-Impressionist, and modern art were transferred to the Hermitage from Moscow's Museum of New Western Art. These works originated primarily from the nationalized collections of Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov.

What incident occurred in 1985 involving Rembrandt's painting Danaë?

In 1985, an individual later judged to be insane attacked Rembrandt's painting Danaë by throwing sulfuric acid on it and cutting it with a knife. The painting was restored by 1997 and is now displayed behind armored glass.

What significant discovery was announced by the Hermitage in October 1994?

The Hermitage officially announced that it had been secretly holding a substantial collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings that were looted from German private collections during World War II.

What was the exhibition titled that displayed these previously hidden treasures?

The exhibition was titled 'Hidden Treasures Revealed,' and it showcased 74 of these paintings for the first time, opening in the Nicholas Hall of the Winter Palace.

What is the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Center, and where is it located?

The Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Center is a branch of the Hermitage located in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia. It opened in 2005 within the Kazan Kremlin.

Hermitage Museum Wiki: The Hermitage: A Tapestry of Art and History

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Museum Overview

Cultural Landmark

The State Hermitage Museum, situated in Saint Petersburg, Russia, stands as a paramount institution dedicated to art and culture. It houses the most extensive collection of paintings globally, representing a significant portion of the world's artistic heritage.

Founding and Public Access

Established in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great through the acquisition of paintings from Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky, the museum commemorates its founding annually on December 7th, St. Catherine's Day. It has been accessible to the public since 1852.

Visitor Engagement

Recognized globally for its scale and importance, the Hermitage ranked tenth in visitor numbers among art museums worldwide, attracting approximately 2.8 million visitors in 2022. It continues to be a vital cultural hub.

Etymological Roots

The Hermit's Dwelling

The term "hermitage" originates from the dwelling of a hermit or recluse. Its etymological lineage traces back through Old French and Late Latin to the Greek word eremites, meaning "one who lives alone," derived from erēmos, signifying "desert." This nomenclature reflects the secluded, contemplative nature often associated with such retreats.

Architectural Ensemble

Palace Embankment Complex

The Hermitage Museum's primary complex spans six historic buildings along Palace Embankment. This includes the iconic Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage (Large Hermitage), the New Hermitage, and the Hermitage Theatre. These structures collectively form a magnificent architectural ensemble.

Expanded Footprint

Beyond the main complex, the museum's influence extends to the Menshikov Palace, the Museum of Porcelain, the Storage Facility at Staraya Derevnya, and the eastern wing of the General Staff Building. This expansion underscores the museum's growing significance and collection scope.

Vast Collections

Global Artistic Scope

The Hermitage boasts an unparalleled collection of over three million items, encompassing Western European art, Egyptian antiquities, classical artifacts, prehistoric treasures, numismatics, and Russian art spanning centuries. The Western European Art collection alone features masterpieces from the 13th to the 20th centuries.

Egyptian Antiquities: Dating back to 1852, featuring artifacts from the Castiglione Collection.
Classical Antiquities: Occupying significant spaces, showcasing Greek and Roman art, including the renowned Gonzaga Cameo and Tauride Venus.
Prehistoric Art: Artifacts from the Paleolithic to Iron Age, including Scythian treasures like the Pazyryk carpet.
Jewelry and Decorative Arts: Exhibitions of Western jewelry and treasures from the Pontic steppes and Caucasus.
Renaissance Masters: Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, and Veronese.
Dutch and Flemish Masters: Extensive collections of Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck.
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art: Masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
Russian Art: Showcasing Russian artistic achievements from the 11th to 19th centuries.

Notable Galleries

Key exhibition spaces include the Egyptian Hall, the Room of the Great Vase, the Pavilion Hall featuring the Peacock Clock, the Knights' Hall displaying arms and armor, and the Raphael Loggias replicating Bramante's design.

🏺

Egyptian Stele

👑

Scythian Gold

💎

Gonzaga Cameo

🏛️

Palmyra Tariff

🏺

Greek Vase

🐎

Pazyryk Horseman

Historical Trajectory

Imperial Patronage

Catherine the Great's acquisition of 225 paintings in 1764 marked the genesis of the Hermitage collection. Initially a private imperial collection, it expanded significantly through strategic purchases and acquisitions throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, rivaling major European museums.

Revolution and Preservation

Following the 1917 Revolution, the Hermitage and Winter Palace were nationalized and merged. Despite significant art sales during the Soviet era and wartime damage during the Siege of Leningrad, the museum's core collections were meticulously preserved and expanded.

1764: Founding acquisition by Catherine the Great.
1852: Opened to the public.
Post-1917: Nationalization and merger with Winter Palace; influx of private collections.
1930s: Clandestine sales of artworks abroad.
WWII: Evacuation of collections during the Siege of Leningrad; subsequent restoration.
Post-WWII: Transfer of modern art collections from Moscow.
1995: Exhibition of previously hidden looted artworks.
2003: Expansion into the General Staff Building.

The Hermitage Cats

An integral part of the museum's unique character is the population of cats residing on the grounds. Officially established in the 1960s, these felines serve a practical purpose by controlling rodent populations and have become a beloved attraction for visitors.

Global Reach and Branches

Domestic Centers

The Hermitage has established exhibition centers and branches within Russia, including the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Center (opened 2005) and centers in Vyborg, Vladivostok, and Omsk, extending its cultural influence across the nation.

International Presence

Historically, the Hermitage has had international collaborations and dependencies, such as the Hermitage Rooms in London and the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in Las Vegas. Ermitage Italia in Ferrara continues this tradition of international cultural exchange.

Leadership and Operations

Directorial Succession

The museum has been guided by notable directors throughout its history. Since July 1992, Mikhail Piotrovsky has served as the Director, continuing a legacy of leadership in managing this vast cultural institution.

Volunteer Engagement

The Hermitage Volunteer Service facilitates public participation in museum operations. Volunteers contribute to both internal and external activities, acting as a bridge between museum expertise and the community, fostering a deeper connection with the collections.

Cultural Resonance

Cinematic Appearances

The Hermitage's grandeur has been captured in film, most notably in Alexander Sokurov's 2002 film Russian Ark, shot entirely within the museum. It has also served as a filming location for other productions, including adaptations of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Literary and Digital Presence

The museum's influence extends into literature, inspiring novels such as Malcolm Bradbury's To the Hermitage. It is also featured in video games like the Civilization series, recognized as a world wonder, and has been documented in television programs and digital media.

Scholarly References

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Hermitage Museum" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about hermitage_museum while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

tailcoat

rajagopal p. v.

silver age of russian poetry

attack on pearl harbor

References

The Art Newspaper annual survey, March 28, 2023.

Piotrovsky, Mikhail, "The Hermitage in the Context of the City," Museum International 55, no. 1, 79â80.

Mason, Mary Willan, "The Treasures of Catherine the Great from the State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg," Antiques & Collecting Magazine 106, no. 3, 62.

Dianina, Katia, "Art and Authority: The Hermitage of Catherine the Great," Russian Review 63, no. 4, 634â636.

Matveev, Vladimir, "The Hermitage and its Links with Regions of Russia," Museum International 55, no. 1, 68.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Hermitage Museum Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an AI system, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided source material, the content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional curatorial, historical, or architectural advice.

Verification and Context: Users are encouraged to consult primary sources and conduct further research for comprehensive understanding. The information reflects data available up to the last update and may not encompass the most recent developments or nuances of the Hermitage Museum's operations or collections.

The creators of this content assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.

The Hermitage: A Tapestry of Art and History

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Museum Overview ℹ️

🏛️ Cultural Landmark

📅 Founding and Public Access

👥 Visitor Engagement

Etymological Roots 📜

🌳 The Hermit's Dwelling

Architectural Ensemble 🏗️

📍 Palace Embankment Complex

🏛️ Expanded Footprint

Vast Collections 🎨

🌍 Global Artistic Scope

🖼️ Notable Galleries

Historical Trajectory ⏳

👑 Imperial Patronage

⚔️ Revolution and Preservation

🐈 The Hermitage Cats

Global Reach and Branches 🌐

🇷🇺 Domestic Centers

🌍 International Presence

Leadership and Operations 👨‍💼

📜 Directorial Succession

🤝 Volunteer Engagement

Cultural Resonance 🎬

🎬 Cinematic Appearances

📚 Literary and Digital Presence

Scholarly References 🔗

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Academic Disclaimer ⚠️

⚖️ Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Museum Overview

Cultural Landmark

Founding and Public Access

Visitor Engagement

Etymological Roots

The Hermit's Dwelling

Architectural Ensemble

Palace Embankment Complex

Expanded Footprint

Vast Collections

Global Artistic Scope

Notable Galleries

Historical Trajectory

Imperial Patronage

Revolution and Preservation

The Hermitage Cats

Global Reach and Branches

Domestic Centers

International Presence

Leadership and Operations

Directorial Succession

Volunteer Engagement

Cultural Resonance

Cinematic Appearances

Literary and Digital Presence

Scholarly References

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice