Art

Walking through the halls of the Hermitage. Part 2

08/19/201209/08/2019 by Viola

Walking through the halls of the Hermitage. Part 2.
Flemish art hall of the Hermitage. The exhibition shows works by Flemish artists of the XVII century. Among stored in the Hermitage ten works by Jacob Jordaens should be mentioned one of the best versions of “Holiday bean king” and “Allegorical Family Portrait” and “Portrait of an old man.” The room also features paintings by masters of still-life and animalistic painting, “shop” by Frans Snyders, “hunting” by Paul de Vos, still life by Fyt Jan.

According to the project of Leo von Klenze the hall of the New Hermitage was for exposures of Dutch and Flemish paintings. Here are the works of the great Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). A collection of his works, including 22 paintings and 19 sketches, covers all periods of the artist’s work. Meeting with the masterpieces include the “Perseus and Andromeda”, “Bacchus”, “Portrait of the Infanta Isabella”. Among the most famous paintings – “The Union of Earth and Water”, “The Descent from the Cross”, “The drivers of stones”.

On the project of Leo von Klenze, another hall of the New Hermitage was for French and Flemish schools of painting. This explains the inclusion in the decoration the set of medallions with portraits of prominent artists in these countries. The hall keeps a unique collection of paintings by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669). In the Hermitage collection of Rembrandt, which includes 23 works are presented both early and late works of the master. Among them – “Flora”, “The Descent from the Cross”, “The Sacrifice of Abraham”, “Danae”, “David’s Farewell to Jonathan,” “Holy Family,” “Portrait of an Old Man in Red”, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.”

Tent Hall got its name because of the unique gable ceiling – one of the largest in the New Hermitage. In the decorative interior painting were used ancient motifs, sculptural acroteria crowned gables windows. Today, as in the XIX century, The hall has paintings by Dutch and Flemish schools. The Hermitage has one of the world’s finest collections of paintings of these schools, with over 1,000 paintings. In the exhibition you can see the work of famous artists of the XVII century. Jacob Ruisdael, Pieter Claesz, Willem and Willem Heda Calf, genre paintings of Jan Steen, Pieter de Hoch, and two portraits by Frans Hals.

Karl Bryullov’s “The Last Days of Pompeii.” In 1834, the painting arrived in St. Petersburg and was exhibited at the Art Academy, causing a noisy delight of the audience. In 1851 the monumental works by Karl Bryullov (“The Last Days of Pompeii”) and Bruno (“Brazen Serpent”) entered the Hermitage “to increase Russian Gallery.” Russian academic school is also presented in the hall of Kiprensky (“Portrait of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s”), Reitern (“Abraham brought Isaac to sacrifice”), AA Ivanov (“The Appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene”) and AI Ivanov (“Exploit young Kievan Pechenegs at the siege of Kiev in 968”).

Lobby, or grand “entrance”, originally intended for the series of monumental paintings on the history of the Russian state. This conception resembles ceiling mural depicting a two-headed eagle and allegorical figures symbolizing Russian cities. Then decorating the walls of the hall it was decided to devote paintings to the history of Russian art, which is logically linked to the theme of the history of ancient art Gallery. In the hall were placed bas-relief portraits of Russian artists, sculptors and architects. By the opening of the museum in the hall were paintings by Russian artists of the XIX century. “Vicinities of Bakhchisarai” by AE Martynov, “peasant boy, putting on sandals” by AG Venetsianov “Waterfall Imatra in Finland” by FM Matveev, “The Ninth Wave” by IK Aivazovsky, “View of the Grand Canal in Venice” by AN Mordvinov, “Interior of the Church of Calvary” by MN Vorobyov.

Van Dyck Hall
Anteroom of the New Hermitage with the paintings of Russian artists of the XIX century. The decoration includes bas-relief portraits of Russian artists, sculptors and architects. Today, the exhibition presents works by Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) – the famous Flemish artist whose paintings in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum have 24 works. The collection includes all types of portraits – “Portrait of a Man,” “Self-Portrait” are among the masterpieces of the museum.

English painting. The Hermitage collection of English painting of XVI-XIX centuries, is a kind of a unique collection, the works of British artists are very rare in museums in continental Europe. Collection is small – about 450 paintings, but very interesting.

French Painting. The Hermitage has a fine collection of paintings XV – XVIII centuries. It includes a small but distinctive products of XV-XVI centuries, among which are the portrait genre, including works by Pierre Dumoustier. French XVII century painting revealed in its entirety, allowing to trace the formation and the guidelines of the French school of the period. A variety of trends in the art of the XVII century are works by leading artists.