Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MMUSSEUUM
NOVY MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
R200/100; 11am-7pm Wed-Fri, noon-8pm Sat & Sun; Vasileostrovskaya)
This interest-
ing addition to Vasilyevsky Island's museum and arts scene is, as its name suggests,
brand new. It was established by local businessman and art collector Aslan Chekhoev
as space to show his private collection of Soviet underground and contemporary Rus-
sian art. In a fabulous period building conversion, it's been beautifully realised and
boasts an interesting program of changing temporary exhibits as well as lecture series
(sadly only in Russian).
ACADEMY OF ARTS MUSEUM
dent R300/150; 11am-6pm Wed-Sun; Vasileostrov-skaya)
Two 3500-year-old sphinx
monuments guard the entrance of the Russian Academy of Arts, and art lovers should
not bypass the museum of this time-tested institution, which contains works by stu-
dents and faculty since the academy's founding in 1857. This is the original location
of the academy, where boys would live from the age of five until they graduated at
age 15. It was an experiment to create a new species of human: the artist. For the most
part, it worked; many great Russian artists were trained here, including Ilya Repin,
Karl Bryullov and Anton Losenko. But the curriculum was designed with the idea that
the artist must serve the state, and this conservatism led to a reaction against it. In
1863, some 14 students left to found a new movement known as the Wanderers
(Peredvizhniki), which went on to revolutionise Russian art.
MMUSSEUUM
Nonetheless, the Academy of Arts has many achievements to show off, including
numerous studies, drawings and paintings by academy members. On the 3rd floor you
can examine the models for the original versions of Smolny Cathedral, St Isaac's
Cathedral and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. And if you had any doubt that the
Academy of Arts is an august academic institution, take a peek into the fabulous old
library. When you enter through the main door take the flight of stairs on your left up
to the 2nd floor, where you can buy tickets.
MMUSSEUUM
GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
