Through my lens ~ The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
Apr 9, 2015 21:22:00 #
We have been able to visit the Hermitage twice, once in winter and once in summer and while summers are wonderful in Russia, winter is much better for the museum. The crowds were horrendous last summer to the point it was hard to see a lot of the exhibits let alone do any photography (which is allowed if you buy a 'permit').
The Hermitage was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and opened to the public in 1852. It houses the largest collection of paintings in the world in six buildings along the Palace Embankment which includes the Winter Palace - former residence of the Russian Emperors.
As frequently in Russia, foreigners pay a higher admission than the nationals, but every first Thursday of the month is free to everyone. Children and students are always free and it is closed every Monday.
The variety of things on permanent display alone is incredible (there are constantly new/different changes in some areas). There is the Kolyvan Vase made from green jasper in 1843 that weighs 19 tons. (They had to build the room around it). There are paintings from all the great artists throughout history, as well as carvings, sculpture, jewelry, and on and on. There are a lot of things that have kept in storage since the war when Russia confiscated from Germany what Germany had stolen from the Jewish population.
There are several huge Rembrandt's - The Prodigal Son, being one of them that you can take a long time just standing in front of it trying to absorb all he included. One painting of Rembrandt's, Danae, one of the most important paintings in the museum was slashed by a knife and sprayed with acid. (1986) It took 12 years to get it back to its original condition but when you look at it, you'd never know it had been damaged. There is a sculpture of Michelangelo's "The Crouching Boy" that not too long ago, had no barrier around it - now there's a little rope thing. Most of the paintings have no protective coverings over them.
It would be totally impossible to describe what is housed in that museum one just has to take a trip (in the winter) to see it all.
It has been estimated that if you stopped in front of every exhibit for one minute and didn't stop for anything else, it would take you about five years and eight months to see it all.
My photographs do it no justice, inside or out, but perhaps you can get a glimpse of what's there.
The Hermitage was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and opened to the public in 1852. It houses the largest collection of paintings in the world in six buildings along the Palace Embankment which includes the Winter Palace - former residence of the Russian Emperors.
As frequently in Russia, foreigners pay a higher admission than the nationals, but every first Thursday of the month is free to everyone. Children and students are always free and it is closed every Monday.
The variety of things on permanent display alone is incredible (there are constantly new/different changes in some areas). There is the Kolyvan Vase made from green jasper in 1843 that weighs 19 tons. (They had to build the room around it). There are paintings from all the great artists throughout history, as well as carvings, sculpture, jewelry, and on and on. There are a lot of things that have kept in storage since the war when Russia confiscated from Germany what Germany had stolen from the Jewish population.
There are several huge Rembrandt's - The Prodigal Son, being one of them that you can take a long time just standing in front of it trying to absorb all he included. One painting of Rembrandt's, Danae, one of the most important paintings in the museum was slashed by a knife and sprayed with acid. (1986) It took 12 years to get it back to its original condition but when you look at it, you'd never know it had been damaged. There is a sculpture of Michelangelo's "The Crouching Boy" that not too long ago, had no barrier around it - now there's a little rope thing. Most of the paintings have no protective coverings over them.
It would be totally impossible to describe what is housed in that museum one just has to take a trip (in the winter) to see it all.
It has been estimated that if you stopped in front of every exhibit for one minute and didn't stop for anything else, it would take you about five years and eight months to see it all.
My photographs do it no justice, inside or out, but perhaps you can get a glimpse of what's there.
The Hermitage facing the Parade Ground - in winter
(Download)
Main staircase - it was virtually impossible to get a picture this past summer it was so packed with people
(Download)
One of the gold overlaid royal coaches - yes, real gold.
(Download)
One of the many long hallways lined with paintings hanging on the walls, as well as painted ceilings - this particular hallway had a whole series of paintings depicting the major stories from Genesis to Revelation.
(Download)
Michelangelo's "The Crouching Boy"
(Download)
The Throne Room
(Download)
One of the typical display rooms, most were much more crowded than this (with display cases).
Apr 9, 2015 21:27:31 #
Apr 9, 2015 21:33:58 #
rlaugh wrote:
All that gold!!...amazing!..great shots!
Good of you to stop by again, Bob. Guess if they really wanted to get out of debt, there is a way!
Apr 9, 2015 21:34:11 #
Apr 9, 2015 21:40:05 #
BasqueLady wrote:
Wonderful photos :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Thank you for dropping by for a visit and for taking the time to post - appreciate it very much.
ted
Apr 9, 2015 21:47:37 #
Wow, what a place to visit. My parents spent a day there when they did a river cruise through Russia a few years ago. They were just as impressed with it. Your images are really remarkable. Thank you again for sharing your travels with us.
Apr 9, 2015 22:01:54 #
Thanks for the tour, Ted. For some reason or another, Russia is one place that I've never been in a big rush to see although you have persuasive arguments
Apr 9, 2015 22:35:42 #
travelerted wrote:
We have been able to visit the Hermitage twice, on... (show quote)
One word Ted!...Opulence!
Apr 9, 2015 22:51:48 #
Sounds like you need to follow in your parents footsteps! I'm sure they have lots of wonderful photos to share of their travels. River cruising is a wonderful way to see the interior of a country and after one has done a lot of ocean type cruises, the river is smaller and usually less crowded.
Thanks for your post - enjoy the rest of your holiday!
Thanks for your post - enjoy the rest of your holiday!
Apr 9, 2015 22:55:00 #
Mike D. wrote:
Thanks for the tour, Ted. For some reason or another, Russia is one place that I've never been in a big rush to see although you have persuasive arguments
I quite agree. There are some parts of the world we've never been to and quite honestly, have no real desire. Many places we've traveled to hold such a fascination that we just keep going back. Not to the exact same place, but the general area. It's good we don't all like the same thing or it would be really crowded in those places wouldn't it?
Apr 9, 2015 22:56:29 #
Apr 9, 2015 23:01:01 #
FrodoBaggins wrote:
One word Ted!...Opulence!
You used exactly the right work, Michael. In a way, it's easy to understand how the Russian Revolution was so easy to pull off by Lenin. When the majority of the population is in extreme poverty and there is that much wealth being used by a very few at the top, and not only do they have it, they flaunt it, you know there'll be trouble. Sadly, this is only one example of that life style of the Tzars and high upper class of the time. The palaces of Peter, and of Catherine are just as extravagant.
Apr 9, 2015 23:02:37 #
Mike D. wrote:
Like the Hermitage in the summer? You have that one right!
That's why you will plan to go in the winter!
Apr 9, 2015 23:07:16 #
travelerted wrote:
That's why you will plan to go in the winter!
Yes Sir. ;)
Apr 9, 2015 23:40:13 #
From what our guide commented, the coaches were to heavy to be pulled by horses!
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