Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Room 243: Knights' Hall
Nicholas I started collecting artistic weapons and armaments from around the world.
Here is the Western European collection, featuring four impressive 16th-century Ger-
man knights sitting atop their armoured horses.
Rooms 245-247: Flemish Art
These three rooms dedicated to 17th-century Flanders are almost entirely consumed
by three artists: Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck and Frans Snyders.
Rooms 249-254: Dutch Art
Dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch collection contains more than
1000 pieces. The 26 paintings by Rembrandt in Room 254 nearly outshine anything
else in these rooms. The collection traces his career, starting with
Flora
and
The Des-
cent from the Cross,
which are noticeably lighter but more detailed. His later work
tends to be darker and more penetrating, such as the celebrated
The Return of the
Prodigal Son.
Painted in 1669, it arguably represents the height of Rembrandt's mas-
tery of psychology in his paintings. The solemn baroque masterpiece is a moving por-
trait of unquestioning parental love and mercy.
Rooms 263-268: German Art
This small collection of German art ranges from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
Among the earliest works there are five paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Room 271: Imperial Cathedral
The private imperial cathedral (closed at the time of writing for renovation) was the
site of many royal weddings, funerals and other ceremonies, including the wedding of
Nicholas II to Alexandra in 1894.
Rooms 272-288 & 290-297: French Art & Interiors
These rooms trace the development of French art from the 15th to the 18th centuries,
including tapestries, ceramics, metalwork and paintings. Look for rooms devoted to
Nicholas Poussin, founder of French Classicism, and Claude Lorrain, master of the
Classical landscape. Room 282, Alexander Hall, is another testament to the victory
over Napoleon in 1812.
