Relief of a Saint

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The Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts stands out as one of the oldest fine arts collections in St. Petersburg, founded in 1758 under Empress Elizabeth's rule to offer young artists a chance to learn from exceptional works of art. I.I. Shuvalov, the founder and initial curator of the Academy established in 1757, presented his personal collection of paintings including masterpieces by Raphael, Veronese, Rubens, and other renowned artists that formed the core of the Museum's collection. Many members of the royal family regularly contributed to the collection over time. Catherine the Great donated cartoons for monumental frescoes at the Vatican Library created by A. Mengs, a celebrated 18th-century artist, along with a large collection of models of antique architectural monuments crafted by A. Keeke in the 18th century. Emperor Nicholas I purchased large copies from Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican as well as reproductions of Italian Renaissance masters' paintings made by prominent artists like K. Bryullov and F. Bruni. As the President of the Academy, Great Duchess Maria contributed to the Museum collection with a number of canvases and a unique drawing by D. Bossi – a copy of the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. Count N. Kushelev-Besborodko's collection, bequeathed to the Academy in 1862, was one of the most impressive acquisitions of the Museum, containing 466 paintings and 29 sculptures by European and Russian masters including Peter Bruegel the Elder's "Adoration of the Magi," "The King is Drinking" by J. Jordans, "Christ in the Crown of Thorns" by Peter Paul Rubens, as well as works by famous French artists Delacroix, Millet, Corrot, Rousseau, and others. The Museum received numerous gifts from artists. The French sculptor E. Falconet, commissioned to design a statue of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg, donated some of his sculptures and many casts and works of French masters to the Museum. More than 160 drawings were donated to the Academy by L. de Lorren, while L. Lagrenet gifted the Museum with 190 drawings. Due to its significance emphasized by Russian emperors, it was an honor to be elected as an honorary member of the Academy. Each new elected member had to present their portrait to the Academy, resulting in a substantial portrait gallery of the Academy's presidents and honorary members from the 18th century. Among its first honorary members were Grand Duke Paul (Petrovitch), Count A. Stroganov – President of the Academy in 1800-1811; Count G. Orlov; Count A. Shuvalov, Count N. Panin, and Duke A. Golitsyn. The present Museum exposition, covering three floors of the concentric building, begins in the hall of casts. Nearly 3000 exhibits are located on the first floor as well as in the main rooms of the Academy. The lobbies, halls, galleries, and staircases of the building serve as an exhibition space for paintings, replicas of antique sculptures, reliefs, Roman vases, and other works of art, creating a remarkable atmosphere that immerses visitors in the arts. The collection of sculptures offers a chance to trace the history of sculpture from ancient Egypt to the 18th century. Containing casts of original antique and Western-European sculptures made in the late 18th-early 19th centuries, it stands unrivaled by any other collection of sculptures in Russia. On display are works by L. Bernini, B. Torwaldsen, A. Moderatti, and other artists.