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History of the Hermitage Museum
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1750
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1850
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2000
Events of selected period
1754-1762
The Construction of the Winter Palace
The Winter Palace was built by the architect Rastrelli on the orders of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.
1762
The Early Reign of Catherine II
Catherine Alexeyevna, the wife of Peter III, rose to power on 28 June 1762 after a coup d’état.
1764 - 1775
The Construction of the Small Hermitage
It was here that Catherine II organised parties known as "small hermitages" and housed paintings.
1764
The Acquisition of J.E. Gotzkowsky’s Collection by Catherine II
The year of Catherine II’s acquisition of the Gotzkowsky collection is the museum’s birth date.
1769
The Acquisition of Count Bruhl’s Collection
The collection contained engravings, drawings and paintings by Western European masters.
1771-1787
The Construction of the Great Hermitage
The building construction was ordered by Catherine II for the palace art collections and library.
1772
The Acquisition of Baron Pierre Crozat’s Collection
The collection is recognized as one of the most valuable purchases throughout the Hermitage history.
1779
The Acquisition of Sir Robert Walpole’s Collection
The collection enriched the Picture Gallery of the Hermitage with works by Italian, Flemish and Dutc
1781
The Acquisition of Count Baudouin’s Collection
This superb collection consisted primarily of the paintings by Flemish and Dutch masters.
1783
The Construction of the Hermitage Theatre
The theatre with performances and festivals played an important part in the Imperial Court’s life.
1787
The Acquisition of the Lyde-Brown Collection
The Lyde-Brown collection formed the nucleus of the Hermitage collection of ancient sculpture.
1795
The Creation of the St George Hall
The St George Hall is one of the finest examples of Russian Neoclassical state interiors.
1815
The Acquisition of Empress Josephine’s Collection
Russian troops’ entering Paris was marked by the acquisition of paintings from the Malmaison Palace.
1825
Emperor Nicholas I’s Accession to the Throne
Nicholas I was a firm ruler and the creation of a “public museum” was the reflection of his policy.
1826
The Creation of the War Gallery of 1812
The War Gallery of 1812 by Carlo Rossi in the Winter Palace glorifies the military power of Russia.
1830-1840
The Interiors Designed by A.P. Bryulov
A.P. Bryulov, representative of the Historicist style, designed the magnificent palace interiors.
1833
Creation of the Fieldmarshals’Hall and Peter I’s Room (the Small Throne Room)
The decoration of the Great suite of rooms was created by the architect Auguste Montferrand.
1837
The Fire in the Winter Palace
The fire, which raged for three days, devastated the interior decoration of the Imperial residence.
1840
Recreation of the Winter Palace State Rooms by V. Stasov after the Fire of 1837
The Great suite of rooms and the Nevsky suite of rooms were restored “to their original splendour”.
1850
The Acquisition of the Barbarigo Gallery Collection
Five paintings by Titian were acquired including "The Penitent Mary Magdalene" and "St Sebastian".
1852
The Opening of the Imperial Museum of the New Hermitage
The New Hermitage was the first building in Russia to house the museum art collections.
1858
The Creation of the Pavilion Hall
The leading master of eclecticism A.I. Stackenschneider created a most spectacular interior.
1860
The Creation of State Rooms in the Great Hermitage
The Great Hermitage interiors are distinguished by ornamentation and the variety of décor details.
1861
The Acquisition of the Marquis Gian Pietro Campana Collection
The Campana collection purchased in Italy wonderfully enriched the Hermitage antiquities collection.
1865
The Acquisition of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Madonna and Child" ("The Litta Madonna")
The "Madonna and Child" comes from the family picture gallery of Counts Litta in Milan.
1870
The Purchase of Raphael’s "Conestabile Madonna"
The "Madonna and Child" was acquired from Count Conestabile and presented by Alexander I to his wife
1884
The Acquisition of the A.P.Basilewski Collection
The purchase of this collection of applied art caused a sensation in Europe.
1885
Transfer to the Hermitage of the Imperial Tsarskoye Selo Arsenal Collection
The Imperial Arsenal is a superb collection of Russian, European and Oriental arms and armour.
1894
The Early Reign of Nicholas II
The reign of Nicholas II went down in history as the last in the Russian Empire.
1914
The Acquisition of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Madonna and Child" (the "Benois Madonna")
This masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci was purchased from the Benois family in St Petersburg.
1914
The Outbreak of World War I, the Opening of Hospital in the Winter Palace
In 1915 – 1917 the state rooms housed the Tsesarevich Alexey Nikolayevich Hospital.
1917
The February Revolution and the Abdication of Emperor Nicholas II
After the February Revolution and the Emperor’s abdication the Provisional Government seized power.
1917
The Overthrow of the Provisional Government
On the night of 26 October (7 November) the Bolshevik Party took power in Petrograd.
1917
The Announcement of the Hermitage and the Winter Palace to be State Museums
In 1921 the Picture Gallery opened to the public and in 1922 more exhibition rooms were accessible.
1920-1930
The Transfer of Works of Art from Museums and Nationalized Private Collections
Numerous works of art and world-renowned cultural relics entered the Hermitage collection.
1920
The Transfer of 460 exhibits to the Central Museum of Old Western Art in Moscow
Amongst the transferred paintings were works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Lorrain and Poussin.
1932-1934
Sale of Works of Art and Transfer of Art Objects to Museums of Union Republics
The museum suffered irreparable losses as a result of the sale of art treasures in 1928-1933.
1941
The Start of World War II and Evacuation of the Museum Collections to the Urals
Over a million works of art were sent in two special trains to the Urals.
1945
The Museum Reopening after the End of World War II
After the war, in November 1945 the Hermitage opened the reconstructed halls to the public.
1948
The New Collection of Late 19th – Early 20th Century European Painting
The Hermitage acquired the paintings by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Bonnard, Matisse and Picasso.
1964
The 200th anniversary of the Hermitage
The jubilee festivities underscored the importance of the Hermitage in the national culture.
1967
The First Donation of Matisse’s Works by L.N. Delektorskaya
L.N. Delektorskaya donated to the museum graphic works, sculptures and two portraits of herself.
1981
Opening of the Museum in the Menshikov Palace, the New Branch of the Hermitage
An exhibition “The Culture of Russia in Early 18th Century”opened in the Menshikov Palace.
1992
Opening of the Display “The Winter Palace of Peter I” in the Hermitage Theatre
The display acquaints visitors with the unique architectural monument dating back to the first quart
1995
The Exhibition “Hidden Treasures Revealed”
The exhibition displays paintings from the private German collections displaced after World War II.
1996
The Creation of the International Hermitage Friends Club
The State Hermitage became the first Russian museum to organize an association of Friends.
1996
The Decree of Russian President Boris Yeltsin Dated 12 June 1996
The State Hermitage was included in the Peoples of Russia Heritage List.
1997
Giving the name Hermitage to Minor Planet N4758 in the Solar System
The Institute of Theoretical Astronomy (RAS) named the minor planets Hermitage and Piotrovsky.
1997
The Return of Rembrandt’s Danae to Public Viewing after the Restoration Work
Rembrandt’s painting Danae is one of the most important canvases in the Hermitage collection.
1999
The Opening of Exhibitions in the Eastern Wing of the General Staff Building
On display is the art of the Empire Style and works by the group of French artists called the Nabis.
1999
The Presentation of the “Great Hermitage” Programme
The programme supported by UNESCO was devised to implement the reconstruction of the museum complex.
1999
Transfer of the Flag of the RF and Standard of RF President to the Hermitage
The transfer took place by the decision of the RF President B.N.Yeltsin.
2000
The Opening of the Hermitage Rooms in Somerset House (London)
According to M. Piotrovsky, the centre was “to make our collections more accessible to the public”.
2001
The Opening of the Hermitage-Guggenheim Exhibition Centre in Las Vegas, USA
The exhibition of the Hermitage and the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation was held in Las Vegas in 2001
2001
The “Russian Ark” Project of the State Hermitage and Alexander Sokurov
On 23 December 2001 the Hermitage became the setting for the shooting of the film “Russian Ark”.
2002
The Transfer of Kasimir Malevich’s Painting Black Square to the State Hermitage
One of the most famous works of 20th-century Russian art entered the Hermitage collection.
2003
The Opening of the Great Courtyard of the Winter Palace
The Great Courtyard opened after the completion of the reconstruction works.
2003
The Creation of the State Hermitage’s Board of Trustees
Russian and foreign statesmen, representatives of culture and business serve on the Board.
2003
The Opening of the Porcelain Museum. The Lomonosov Porcelain Factory
The museum display reflects the 250-year old history of St Petersburg porcelain.
2004
The Opening of the Hermitage-Amsterdam Exhibition Complex in Amsterdam
The project provides for two major exhibitions a year from the Hermitage and the Russian Museum.
2005
The Opening of the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Centre
The State Hermitage opened its first representation in the Russian Federation.
2006
The Year of Rembrandt in the State Hermitage
The events dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt were held in the Hermitage.
2007
The Opening of the Hermitage-Italy Centre in Ferrara
The opening of the Russian-Italian Centre for Science and Culture was held in the Castle Estense.
2009
Opening of the Hermitage-Amsterdam Centre in the Amstelhof Building, Amsterdam
This is an exhibition and cultural centre located in the Amstelhof Building, 17th-century monument.
2009
The Transfer of the Alexander Column Monument to the State Hermitage
The Alexander Column was erected in 1829-1834 in honour of the victory over Napoleon.
2009
19th Century Graphic Art and 18th Century Porcelain from the Galerie Popoff
This collection of Russian art acquired by the Hermitage is distinguished by superb workmanship.
2010
The Opening of the Hermitage-Vyborg Exhibition Centre in Vyborg
The Centre holds exhibitions and lectures prepared with the assistance of Hermitage specialists.
2010
First Phase Restoration of the Eastern Wing of the General Staff Building
The renovated halls total 32, 5 thousand sq.m., of which 6, 5 thousand sq.m. is exhibition space.
2011
Prado Exhibition at the Hermitage
The exhibition was a most significant event of the Year of Spain in Russia and Russia in Spain.
2011
The Exhibition”Mikhail Lomonosov and the Time of Elizabeth I”
The jubilee exhibition displayed over seven hundred items from the museums, archives and libraries.
2011
The 300-year and 30-year anniversary of the Menshikov Palace and its Display
In honour of the double jubilee the "Around this Place the Memories are Alive" exhibition was held.
2011
“Herculaneum Antiquities” - the First Exhibition in the General Staff Building
The exhibition was part of the Year of Italy in Russia and Year of Russia in Italy.
2011
Exhibition in the Department of the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory
On 6 December 2011 a new permanent exhibition “Porcelain of the Soviet and New Period” opened.
2012
Exhibition “Santiago Calatrava. In Search of Motion”
On display were over 150 architectural models, designs and drawings by the famous architect.
2012
Celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War of 1812
Special events and themed exhibitions took place in the Hermitage in the jubilee year.
2013
Acquisition of the Tea and Coffee Service of Thomas Dimsdale
The gift to the English physician Thomas Dimsdale from Catherine II entered the Hermitage collection
2013
Wisdom of Astraea. Masonic Monuments of the 18th – first-third of the 19th Centuries in the Hermitage Collection
For the first time on display in the exhibition rooms was the unique complex of Masonic monuments.
2013
The Bronze Age. Europe without Borders. 4th – 1st millennia BC
An archaeological exhibition devoted to the Bronze Age was held in the General Staff building.
2013
Culture and Art of Central Asia
A renewed permanent exhibition “The Art and Culture of Central Asia” has opened in the Hermitage.
2011-2014
A Chronicle of the State Hermitage's 250th Anniversary Celebrations
A Continuing Celebration
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