The Russian Museum

The Russian Museum

Introduction: The Russian Museum, formerly known as the Mikhailovsky Palace, is a renowned historical museum in Russia and around the world. Established in 1895 and opened to the public in 1898, it houses many valuable works of Russian art. Its main collections include ancient icons, oil paintings, a comprehensive collection of works by Russian sculptors and graphic artists, as well as decorative and applied art pieces. It is especially known for its watercolors, carvings, utilitarian artworks, and folk art. Many artifacts from the Hermitage are also displayed here.

The museum’s collections mainly consist of items from the Mikhailovsky Palace, imperial suburban residences, and the applied art collections of noble St. Petersburg families such as the Yusupovs, Shuvalovs, and Sheremetevs. The museum preserves numerous items belonging to the imperial families from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

The richest part of the applied art collection is porcelain, making up about two-thirds of the total holdings. It includes representative works from all stages of the development of Russian porcelain since the Vinogradov period. The museum holds the world’s most extensive collection of Vinogradov porcelain, much of which was provided by Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Romanov. The collection also features tableware used by Russian tsars from Elizabeth Petrovna to Nicholas II.

The museum’s collection of Russian art glass is comprehensive and of high quality. Examples include outstanding works from the 18th century, items that once belonged to Peter the Great, Anna Ioannovna, Catherine the Great, and other Russian rulers, as well as fine collections created for the Patriotic War of 1812.

Among the artistic textiles, the most valuable are shawls, gold-threaded silk scarves, religious vestments, and St. Petersburg tapestries, the most famous of which is the "Battle of Poltava" tapestry.

The furniture collection primarily showcases the styles found in the White Hall and other rooms of the Mikhailovsky Palace. Exhibited are furnishings from various periods starting from the Petrine era, designed by eminent designers such as Carlo Rossi, Vasily Stasov, and Andrey Stakenschneider.

There are statues of Pushkin, Marx, and Engels on the square.

St. Petersburg, Russia