A luxurious museum, one of the most visited and loved by many residents from different parts of Russia and the Earth. The exposition of its General Headquarters is assessed as the world's richest treasury of impressionist and post-impressionist art.
The collection is decorated with original masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, Cezanne, Van Gogh and many others. outstanding masters who worked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
By viewing the work of prominent representatives of these movements, visitors are able to discover for themselves the features of the new artistic language conveying unique and at the same time relevant worldviews of artists.
The exhibition is based on landscapes of France, filled with golden rays of light and fresh air, portraits of Parisians, mysterious features which leave no one indifferent, as well as views of Gauguin’s Polynesia, attracting the eye with their pristine grandeur and harmony with the environment.
Hermitage collection
The museum displays masterpieces in the following quantities:
- 8 paintings by Claude Monet;
- 6 paintings by Renoir;
- 4 works by Van Gogh;
- 15 works by Gauguin;
- 37 paintings each by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso;
- 9 marble, bronze and plaster sculptures by Rodin;
- as well as many other artistic works of great masters.
Art of France
It is worth noting that the art of France, starting from the 15th century, occupies 39 halls of the museum, due to which the exhibition has become the largest in the world, organized outside home country. On the 3rd floor the works are presented French painting and 19th century sculptures.
Works of French impressionists and post-impressionists are exhibited in the halls of the 4th floor . Some of them are reserved for the work of Matisse, Picasso and other masters of the 20th century. Since 2014, the large-scale exhibition “Manifesta 10” has been on display. In addition to works by Matisse and Picasso, you can see here “Composition No. 6” by Kandinsky and “Black Square” by Malevich.
The basis of the exhibition of French painting mid-19th- the beginning of the 20th century consists of paintings by venerable artists - Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cezanne, Honoré Daumier, Henri Fantin-Latour, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin andfrom the private collections of Shchukin and Morozov.
Start of the meeting
In the suite of halls of the General Staff Building a rich exhibition of French impressionists and post-impressionists is put on public display. The overwhelming number of works were included in the private collections of industrialists and collectors - Ivan Abramovich Morozov and Sergei Ivanovich Shchukin.
Being subtle connoisseurs of beauty and authenticity, they were able in their time to understand how great the contribution of the impressionists and post-impressionists would be to art. Patrons collected their collections bit by bit, buying paintings from art dealers and from the artists themselves. Thus, important components of the artistic wealth of the Hermitage exhibition of impressionists and post-impressionists were purchases and gifts from domestic collectors.
An active and enterprising industrialist, a subtle and refined lover of painting, Sergei Ivanovich Shchukin, oddly enough, was called a “porcupine,” first of all, for his stubbornness in transactions, and also for the fact that he allegedly bought “artistic trash” and did not understood art.
Shchukin often visited Paris, where he bought canvases from artists, merchants and art connoisseurs. Thus, paintings by Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso appeared in his mansion, as well as panels specially ordered from Matisse, Bonnard, and Villard.
According to the will drawn up by Shchukin in 1908, his collection was to go to the city after his death. After 10 years, there were 225 works of French painting.
Continuing the work of his brother Alexei Vikulovich, who created the Porcelain Museum, Ivan Abramovich Morozov collected paintings domestic artists. Later, he became interested in impressionism and replenished the family art treasury with the works of French masters of the modern movement.
Although he was seventeen years younger than Shchukin, the artistic hobbies and views of both patrons coincided. They were guided by intangible considerations. By the time the Bolsheviks arrived, Morozov had a collection of 135 paintings and sculptures.
Morozov liked the work of Bonnard, from whom the collection included over three dozen works. There was an episode in the Morozov mansion decorative works by Maurice Denis.
When Shchukin introduced Morozov to Matisse, the latter’s collection was replenished with three canvases depicting African landscapes. Morozov was interested in Gauguin's Tahitian works, and he was also interested in Van Gogh.
Under Soviet rule, the collections of both patrons were nationalized and transferred to the Hermitage and Pushkin Museum. But they suffered the fate of gathering dust in storage until the middle of the last century, since at the dawn of socialism it was too early for the immature builders of communism to appreciate advanced L'art Français (French art).
Today, on the 4th floor of the General Staff Building, there is a “Gallery in Memory of Sergei Shchukin and the Morozov Brothers”, where works of impressionists, post-impressionists, and artists of the Nabi group are exhibited.
In general, the Hermitage collection of works by Cezanne, Gauguin, Marche, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso and other greats French painters and portrait painters of the 19th and 20th centuries is so luxurious that it is deservedly ranked among the world's most elite and largest collections, taking into account its own artistic arsenal in its homeland.
“Impression” concept
Impressionism is translated from French as “impression”. This art movement was born in France at the end of the 19th century. Artists with impressionistic views, protesting against the embellishment of life with artistic academicism, turned to a unique representation of reality. They worked exclusively from life; they used natural landscapes for their landscape creations.
In them they wanted to show natural grace and desire for change, perfectly depicting airiness and sunshine, subtle shades of light and colors.
The original tonality and freshness of the paintings, the optical perception of natural scenes by the impressionists gave impetus to the development of the movement, which expanded the boundaries of the possible of painting.
Focusing on the color perception of the world and avoiding the conceptual significance of phenomena became the reason that artists began to combine the images they created into one whole.
Therefore, in impressionism there is no subject painting. Impressionist methods are not aimed at “exposing” or “exposing” individuality, or displaying large-scale events. This is despite the fact that the conflict of that era was the greatest. Hence the accusation made against the works of the Impressionists about their supposed distance from life.
The name of the movement comes from the title of Monet's painting "Impression. Sunrise." It was central work Paris Exposition of 1874. Which caused a furore. One journalist with great sarcasm called the above-mentioned artist and others like him “impressionists.”
Flow - “post-impression”
The Englishman Roger Fry used this word, criticizing what appeared in French art at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, trends that were modern for those times.
After the publication of Moreas's Manifesto of Symbolism, the era of the creative spirit was ushered in. Having taken the color components of purity and sonority from impressionism, post-impressionism is engaged in the search for stable values. The works of the masters are saturated with philosophy and symbolism. Post-impressionism includes the works of Toulouse-Lautrec, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Seurat, Signac, Pissarro and other authors.
Post-impressionists differed from impressionists in their desire to depict not momentary moments, but eternity itself, as if they possessed secret knowledge about the universe.
The principles of post-impressionism influenced the formation of Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism and other movements, and formed the basis for the development of modern painting.
Conclusions from what has been said
The Hermitage collection from the family treasuries of Shchukin and Morozov are unique works, masterpieces from famous masters. Private collections were replenished by these art connoisseurs when artistic works Impressionists and post-impressionists were not recognized either by the public or by specialists. Today these trends are more relevant than ever. They are included in the history of the development of painting. But most importantly, they serve people who are not indifferent to great art.
The Hermitage is celebrating its 250th anniversary, and this was the reason that three famous paintings Claude Monet: “Water Lilies”, “Rouen Cathedral” and “Garden at Giverny”. These paintings belong to the Beyeler Foundation. Some enemies may say that there is already enough Monet in the Hermitage collection, and what is this compared to the last visit of the amazing Cavaggio.
But these paintings are worth a look. These are the paintings that are not on display in the museum. The elderly Monet is constantly busy with unknown things, but one thing is for sure - these are his personal interests. If you look from the other side, this exhibition is a kind of conversation about money. The whole point is that with this money various works of masters are bought and sold. First they buy, then they sell at a higher price. And this exhibition is the clearest example such purchase and sale.
A little about the Beyeler Gallery
The Ernst Beyeler Gallery began its life in 1952. As a student, he began collecting books by old masters various genres. Then, abandoning this business, he moved on to a more profitable one, that is, collecting a collection of graphics classic style. As his activities developed, Ernst became one of the largest dealers, based on tradition best auctions. Now his gallery collection has grown to enormous proportions, and firmly holds its position.
By his decision to exhibit Monet's paintings in the Hermitage, he thereby showed that simple collecting will not lead to greater profits. It is necessary to organize a small show of your paintings, so that people can not only get acquainted with the works of art, but also the painting itself acquires its own certain value.
A few words about the paintings
It is the paintings of Claude Monet that are in great demand for purchase. This best investment financial resources. The canvases that were brought from Switzerland do not have such great value in the history of artistic craft, but they have become a kind of symbol of wealth among the entire art market.
The whole value of all Monet's paintings lies in the fact that the artist painted in several series. The acquisition of the entire series is an exceptional move on the trade market. These three paintings attract attention with their rich colors and light. One gets the feeling that the picture is glowing from within. Monet tried to capture the elusive moments of the natural nature of the world. Monet put his own soul into all his paintings, trying to show people all the picturesqueness of the world around them. So, for example, in the painting “Water Lilies” you can see the relaxed and gentle light of summer, thanks to which anyone who sees the canvas leaves it with a feeling of joy of life and peace of mind of their own soul.
Which closed this weekend, prompted me to remember the innovative trends in painting of that time. I won’t say that I’m a big fan of painting, but the visual solutions of the early 20th century are still already recognized classic. And since it’s a classic, it means it makes sense to at least try to correlate this view of the world with your own. Painting of the early 20th century in St. Petersburg can be seen in the Russian Museum, in Erarta, in the Hermitage, and in several other places. I was lazy to go to Erarta, because it’s far away, and the Russian Museum and the Hermitage are practically nearby. One is open until 21.00 on Thursday, the other on Wednesday. It was Wednesday - January 31st, moon eclipse and I was drawn to the Hermitage. At the checkout in Winter Palace politely sent to Main Headquarters, through Palace Square, it turns out that avant-garde artists now “live” there, on the 4th floor. I’ve never been to Rossi’s wing, which makes it all the more interesting. I came, and there - there
To be honest, I liked it. On the 4th floor there are such interesting glass bridges
And under the bridge there is another courtyard
The vanguards were placed on the 4th floor. You can get there by elevator. However, I did not go out to them, but to French impressionists. This, of course, is not avant-garde, but for the end of the 19th century it was also a revolutionary campaign. After the pompous staging and multi-figure compositions of academic artists, the viewer did not immediately accept this direction. In my unenlightened opinion, the landscapes of the Impressionists have not lost any of their original message - to convey a momentary impression. At first I wanted to purposefully get to the avant-garde artists and not stop at other paintings. But the charm of the moment, like a casual glance outside the window, stopped me. I took out my smartphone and went to those paintings whose “windows” I wanted to look into. First it was Claude Monet's "Meadows at Giverny"
He is also the Shore of the Pond in Montgeron
Aka Waterloo Bridge. Fog effect
His - On the steep banks near Dieppe
The next one stopped is Camille Pizarro Boulevard Montmartre. Curiosity played more of a role here, I talk too much about this famous boulevard in literary works I read it. Something like “so what a scarlet flower you are” :))
I partially took photos from the Internet when my photo was completely unsuccessful. Let's move on - Auguste Renoir Landscape at Beaulieu. Sea, sun, wind - everything in a small landscape, like outside the window.
The same set, but from a different place and in a different manner: Georges Pierre Seurat Fort Sanson - English Channel coast.
In the same technique, but a piece by a different artist - pointillist Paul Signac Harbor in Marseille
According to the author’s recollections, the thing is completely fictitious, but nevertheless, it reflects the real moment of the approaching sunset.
Another of Paul Signac's famous followers is Henri Edmond Cross View of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli near Assisi
Paul Cezanne Blue landscape - deep twilight, almost night. But for the artist, the period of fascination with impressionism was relatively short-lived.
Paul Gauguin A man picking fruit from a tree. And not because Paul Gauguin is an iconic figure; there are more famous works of his in the Hermitage. But because everything is momentary - the sun, goats, fruits.
And here is the Van Gogh Bush. By the way, this bush grew in the garden of a psychiatric hospital where Vincent Van Gogh spent several years. Art critics write about a hot day, perhaps the bush was the same, but here I didn’t feel a hot day
His sad memory of the garden in Etten. In the picture are the artist’s mother and sister, and Etten is the city in which Van Gogh was born, although the picture was painted in the south of France in Arles
Charles Cottet View of Venice from the sea. Here I was more impressed by the dissimilarity of the plot to everything I know about Venice
And I will finish today with Georges Dupuis Quai Notre-Dame in Le Havre
St. Petersburg, May 21 – “AiF-Petersburg”. Cultural capital feverish again. One of the largest collections of impressionists, including more than 200 paintings of masterpieces from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, may be in danger of moving. Paintings by Gauguin, Monet, Matisse, Picasso and other brilliant artists can go from the Hermitage to the collection of the Moscow museum. The head of the Hermitage, Mikhail Piotrovsky, categorically spoke out against it. May 21st.
The pride of the Hermitage is ours
“The third floor of the Hermitage is the pride of St. Petersburg,” the governor said today in open letter head of the Hermitage. - It is difficult to overestimate the merit of the Hermitage in the fact that it is art, the value of which during the liquidation of the museum Western art was not obvious, was taken out of captivity, and adequately presented in the Hermitage,” said the mayor.
The fuss began on April 25 after a direct line with the president, during which the director State Museum fine arts them. A. S. Pushkin Irina Antonova proposed returning the collection of paintings to the Moscow Museum of Modern Western Art. According to her, the museum was liquidated in 1948, after which the collection was distributed to many museums, half of it ended up in the Hermitage. Putin promised to think about it, but said the issue should be resolved at the level of the Ministry of Culture and experts.
The brilliant collection of the 19th - 20th centuries from the Hermitage collection includes over 200 works of painting. Among them are paintings outstanding artists impressionism, Paul Cezanne, Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and others famous masters this time.
The head of the Hermitage, Mikhail Piotrovsky, is convinced that the Hermitage collection must remain inviolable.
“I am ashamed and unpleasant that internal relations and disputes of museums are raised during the “direct line” with the president,” Piotrovsky shared at a press conference in St. Petersburg. “The Hermitage collection has been encroached on many times, but now the disputes have taken the form of denunciations,” he said. Piotrovsky added that it is necessary to start restoring museums that suffered from the actions of the Soviet regime with the Hermitage, since it was the one that suffered the most.
Petersburgers are against
Piotrovsky explained that the “dispute” between the Pushkin Museum and the Hermitage concerns nationalized Soviet power private collections of Moscow collectors and philanthropists Ivan Morozov and Sergei Shchukin. In 1928, on the basis of these collections, the Museum of New Western Art was created in Moscow. After the liquidation of the museum in 1948, the most valuable works were distributed between the Hermitage and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts.
In the 20-30s of the last century, works and treasures of the Hermitage were sold abroad. At the same time, the authorities did not report on what the funds received from the sale of valuables were used for.
“The question is absurd in itself. You can look for any other options for cooperation with museums, for example, joint exhibitions, but there is no talk about the transfer, - Evgenia Kulikova, an employee of the Hermitage press service, told the site. - This will entail claims from various museums, foreign ones in particular. The redistribution of museum collections cannot be allowed. The museum about which we're talking about, existed for 17 years, so the question of restoring historical justice sounds strange. The collection has existed in the Hermitage for 70 years.”
It’s not just the Hermitage that has rebelled—St. Petersburg residents, eminent and not so well-known, are in full swing collecting signatures against the removal of the collection. Almost 34 thousand people signed up.
“For our city, the disappearance of the originals of Renoir, Matisse and Picasso is tantamount to transfer to the capital Bronze Horseman, Rostral columns and burials of emperors. This is an irreparable blow to the culture of the city and historical memory people living in it,” the petition says.
Meanwhile, an extended meeting of the expert council under the ministry is taking place in the capital. Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky has already admitted that the issue is truly “acute.”
“The re-establishment of the Museum of New Western Art is a hot topic due to the necessary relocation of a significant part of the Hermitage collection to Moscow. This causes a lot of controversy,” admitted the head of the Ministry of Culture, quoted by ITAR-TASS.
They promised to decide the fate of the Impressionist collection at the beginning of next week. However, the Hermitage itself does not see any other way but to leave everything in its place.
The Hermitage collections contain a truly gigantic amount of works of art of world significance. The paintings that are here are familiar to everyone in the world. The names of the artists that are presented here in the originals have been the most famous for many decades and centuries, and their art is unique. A small selection paintings of three The artists who are waiting for you further prove this fact once again.
Here are some paintings from the halls of the Hermitage, which are dedicated to French painting of the 19th-20th centuries.
Claude (Garden Corner at Montgeron, Pond at Montgeron, Lady in the Garden of Sainte-Adresse). One of the most famous impressionist artists (1840, Paris - 1926, Giverny)
Pierre Auguste (Child with a Whip, Portrait of the Actress Jeanne Samary). Outstanding French artist, representative of the painting style - impressionism (1841, Limoges - 1919, Cagnes-sur-Mer)
Paul (Girl at the Piano, Big Pine near Aix, Lady in Blue). Great French artist, representative of post-impressionism (1839, Aixan-Provence - 1906, Aixan-Provence).
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Claude Monet paintings in the Hermitage
Pierre Auguste Renoir paintings in the Hermitage
