The State Russian Museum

When someone thinks of Saint Petersburg, one of the first things that comes to mind is museums. The city is full of art galleries, historical museums and museums in flats where famous authors used to live. The most famous museum is probably, the Winter Palace which is part of the Hermitage complex. It is one of the largest art galleries in the world that attracts millions of tourists and its importance is often compared with that of Louvre museum. Although it is impossible to overestimate the historical value of the Hermitage, which contains thousands of works of artists from all over the world, I do believe, that there is another museum in the city, that deserves much more attention.

The State Russian Museum is not just an ordinary art gallery. It is a large collection of artwork, which gives visitors an insight into the Russian history and its way of thought. The museum was opened in 1898 and it was the first gallery that contained purely Russian works of art. The collection was gathered from objects donated by multiple palaces, museums and private collections.

Today, the State Russian Museum is a complex of different museums, the main building being the Mikhailovsky Palace. It is located in the centre of St. Petersburg, a 10-minute walk from the Nevsky Prospect metro station, so it can be reached by any tourist. Most often the museum is open 10am-6pm, but more accurate opening times as well as other visitor information can be found on the following website: http://en.rusmuseum.ru/.

Being the largest Russian art collection, the State Russian Museum contains over 400 000 exhibits, that cover all major periods of Russian art. Karl Brullov, Ivan Aivazovsky, Ilya Repin, Victor Vasnetsov… this is just a tiny shortlist of artists whose famous works are part of the permanent exhibition.

Why should you visit the State Russian Museum? If you already have an interest in the Russian art, you will be familiar with the names of the artists whose works are kept in the museum and understand the value of their work. Seeing the original works in full size, is not just a “now I’ve seen this famous painting” tourist attraction, it is a truly astonishing experience, which makes you feel a connection with an artist and allows you to travel on a time machine, taking you to one or another period of Russian history.

If you are not an art gallery lover, this might be the museum that will make you fall in love with art. Personally, I cannot say, that I have a great interest in art, but taking slow walk around the museum listening to a (FREE!) audio guide from izi.travel app, was an excellent way to dip my toes, into something that I have never previously explored.

The State Russian Museum, is not just a place that is valuable due to the works that are kept there. As it is located in the Mikhailovsky Palace, it is a great opportunity for tourists to explore the grand interiors of Russian palaces, without having to stand in the long queues for tickets in the Hermitage. Moreover, it is not as crowded as the Hermitage, so for those who like quieter museums and would like to discover Russian art, the Russian State Museum is a great spot.

 

 

 


Анастасия Олесова/Anastasija Olesova, The University of Manchester (3-ий курс/ 3rd year), BA (Hons) Politics and Russian.