Fall Break in St.Petersburg

The Art

I went to St.Petersburg for the Art. Before the Russian revolution, there were a few private Russian collectors who were especially interested in modern Art. Some of the greatest masterpieces of late 19th century and early 20th century western Art were displayed in private homes in Moscow and St.Petersburg. After the revolution, these works were confiscated by the Soviet government. For decades these works were hidden from the general public. In my years studying the hisory of Art, I had dreamed of going to St.Petersburg, to the Hermitage, and to the Russian museum. And my dream finally came true. 

The Jordan staircase at the Hermitage. After voucher-ticket exchange, waiting in line to enter the museum, waiting in line at the coat check, going through security, this is the first reward. 

The State Hermitage Museum

The museum sprawls throughout the Winter Palace, begun in the 1730's by Empress Anna. By the time of the reign of Catherine the Great (1762-1796), the palace was the official Imperial residence. It was Catherine the Great who founded the Imperial Art collection.

I had planned to visit the Hermitage several times during my week in St.Petersburg. I purchases 4 tickets for the museum online. One ticket was on a separate voucher, and three of the tickets were on the same voucher. 

My first visit to the Hermitage was on the Sunday, the day after I arrived. I was so excited. When I walked into a room filled with Monets and Renoirs, I didn't know if I was going to weep or faint. 

Degas!

Rodin!

Renoir!

On my second visit to the Hermitage, I hit a serious snag. Or a wall. The wall of Russian bureaucracy. Because my THREE tickets were printed on the same voucher, I had to use them the same day. No amount of arguing, complaining, asking for supervisors would move that wall. I finally took a deep breath and surrendered. I only had one more marathon day to see the rest of the Hermitage collection. 

During the seige of Leningrad during WWII, the Hermitage staff planted cabbage in these gardens.

This is a clock!

These people are right beside the beautiful clock, watching a video of the clock....

Leonardo!

I was starting to feel a bit like that towards the end of my marathon day

Michelangelo!

Pontormo - I just really like this little guy's face

Rembrandt!

me and Rembrandt!

Van Gogh!

This Van Gogh was part of the 'Hidden Treasures' exhibit. Painting from collections stolen from German collectors during WWII. They were stored in the nether regions of the basement until recently.