THE RUSSIAN MUSEUM

In March 1998, the State Russian Museum, the world's largest museum of Russian art, celebrated its 100th anniversary. The museum, then called the "Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III", was established in 1895 and opened its doors to the public on March 7 (19), 1898. The first paintings for its collection were donated by the Hermitage, Academy of Fine Arts and various royal palaces. Since then the collection has been growing very quickly, and today is on display at four different locations in downtown St. Petersburg:

The Mikhailovsky Palace and the Benois Building
Main building of the museum, which showcases Russian art from early icons to the beginning of the 20th century and holds temporary exhibitions
The Mikhailovsky (St Michael's) Castle
Permanent collection of Russian Official Portraits plus temporary exhibitions
The Marble Palace
Modern Russian art early 20th century to the present (including the famous Russian Avant-garde) plus an insightful display of the Rossica - art by foreign artists who worked in Russia. Temporary exhibitions
The Stroganov Palace
Collection of Russian icons, once owned by the Stroganov family and a wax figures display

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