St. Petersburg is home to one of the biggest museums in the whole world. Originally, built as private palace for Russian Empress Katherine II, nowadays it amaze tourists not only with enfilades, dance rooms and reception halls, but with the amazing collection of paintings, sculpture, icons and other examples or arts and crafts, created by the most famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Rembrandt. Lets have a look at the list of the most impressive and famous works of art of the Hermitage that will leave you speechless. 10. The Peacock Clock, 1777 The Peacock Clock is a large automaton featuring three life-sized mechanical birds: a peacock, a cock, and an owl as well as a dial incorporated into the head of a mushroom. It was manufactured by the entrepreneur James Cox in the last half of the 18th century. This clock was acquired by Grigoriy Potyomkin, one of the favorites of Russian empress Katherine the Great and was presented to her in 1781. 9. Antonio Canaletto, the Reception of French Ambassadors in Venice, 1726 Being born and living in Venice, Canaletto mastered in painting grand scenes of the canals of Venice and the Doge's Palace. His large-scale landscapes portrayed the city's pageantry and waning traditions, making innovative use of atmospheric effects and strong local colors. For these qualities, his works may be said to have anticipated Impressionism. The reception of French ambassadors in Venice depicts an official reception in Venice. In the background we may see the most magnificent Venetian building – Doge’s Palace. Canaletto is famous for depicting every detail down to the venetians in their colorful dresses and mascaraed masks, hundreds of boats and cupolas of cathedrals, making us feel that we are looking at a photo that was taken just a moment ago. 9. Diego Velázquez, Breakfast, 1618 Velázquez was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age. Velázquez was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, and became known for his portraits. Breakfast is one of the early works of the master. It concentrates with particular intensity on the individual characterization of the men, who are shown half-length and three-quarter length, and are of different ages. The frugality of their meal obviously does not impair their enjoyment of life. The composition presents a view from above of their expressive faces and hands, the tablecloth, and the physical materiality of the bread, pomegranate and wine, symbols of Jesus Christ. 7. Titian, Danae, 1546 Titian, one of the greatest Venetian artists of the 15th century was highly recognized by his contemporaries as "The Sun Amidst Small Stars". Titian's unmatched handling of color is exemplified by his Danaë, one of several mythological paintings, or "poesie" ("poems") as the painter called them. The myth of Danae tells how the King of Argos and father of Danae, consulted an oracle who foretold his death at the hands of his grandson. In order to avoid this, he locked Danae in a tower, which failed to prevent Zeus from possessing her in the form of golden rain. 6. Raphael, Madonna “Conestabile”, 1504 Raphael, together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. His works are admired for the clarity of form, ease of composition, and visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur. The painting portrays the Madonna holding the Child while reading a book. In 1881, when the picture was moved to canvas, it was discovered that in the original version the Madonna contemplated a pomegranate, symbol of the Passion, instead of the book. This painting was acquired by Russian emperor Alexander II in 1871, as a present for his wife. It was kept in her bedroom up to the revolution of 1917. 5. Caravaggio, The Lute Player, 1596 One of the early masterpieces by Caravaggio. We can clearly see the play of shades and contrast, emphasizing the figure in the center of the canvas and giving volume to every single detail of the painting. It was Caravaggio who made the technique a dominant stylistic element, darkening the shadows and transfixing the subject in a blinding shaft of light. With this came the acute observation of physical and psychological reality which formed the ground both for his immense popularity and for his frequent problems heart with his religious commissions. Here this master tried to show us a scene from the real life, with real hero and real feelings. Caravaggio shows us a beautiful young boy, playing his lute and singing a song about his girl leaving him for another man. In his eyes, we may see emptiness and the pain of his broken heart. 4. Leonardo da Vinci, Madonna “Benois” (with a flower), 1478 It is likely that the Benois Madonna was the first work painted by Leonardo independently from his master. For centuries, Madonna and Child with Flowers was considered lost. In 1909, the architect L. Benois sensationally exhibited it in Saint Petersburg as part of his father-in-law's collection. This painting is one of the early works of da Vinci and his first oil painting. It depicts a young Virgin Mary with her adorable child, playing with a flower. Mother’s eyes are full of love and care for her little son. What is very unusual for 15th century painting is that Virgin Mary is dressed up in a fashionable for those days dress and her hair is done according to those times trend, not according to the rules for depicting Virgin. 3. Pablo Picasso, Absinth drinker, 1901 Picasso produced this work in the autumn of 1901 during his second trip to Paris, when he was just 22 years old. The theme of loneliness, of isolation and emptiness was not new to French art in the second half of the 19th century. In the beginning of the 20th century feeling emtyness,as well as the lost self became one of the main themes of modern art. On this painting we may see a lonely woman that sits at a table in a cafe, the background a dirty-red wall which reinforces the sense of discomfort. Emphasizing the flatness of the canvas, the color of the walls and the bluish tone of the marble table seem to press the space inwards, around the woman, enclosing her in her miserable lonely life. 2. Henre Matisse, the Dance, 1910 Matisse is commonly regarded, along with Pablo Picasso , as one of the three artists who helped to define the revolutionary developments in the plastic arts throughout the opening decades of the twentieth century, responsible for significant developments in painting and sculpture. The painting shows five dancing figures, painted in a strong red, set against a very simplified green landscape and deep blue sky. It reflects Matisse's incipient fascination with primitive art and uses a classic Fauvist color palette: the intense warm colors against the cool blue-green background and the rhythmical succession of dancing nudes convey the feelings of emotional liberation and hedonism. 1. Rembrandt Van Rijn, the Return of the Prodigal Son, 1669 Rembrandt is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art and the most important in Dutch history. His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement that historians call the Dutch Golden Age. This painting is among the Dutch master's final works, likely completed within two years of his death. In the painting, the son has returned home in a wretched state from travels in which he has wasted his inheritance and fallen into poverty and despair. The prodigal son kneels before his father in repentance, wishing for forgiveness and a renewed place in the family, having realized that even his father's servants had a better station in life than he. His father receives him with a tender gesture. His hands seem to suggest mothering and fathering at once; the left appears larger and more masculine, set on the son's shoulder, while the right is softer and more receptive in gesture. This painting demonstrates the mastery of the late Rembrandt. His evocation of spirituality and the parable's message of forgiveness has been considered the height of his art. These and many other pieces of art you will see on a tour with your private guide in St. Petersburg. Contact me for all tour options and special offers at my FB page
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AuthorHi there! My name is Mila, I have been working as a local guide for six years and I've decided to share with you essential information about St. Petersburg, life in Russia and Russian culture. I hope you will enjoy! Archives
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