The history of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg dates back to 1764 when Catherine II of Russia acquired a collection of 225 paintings and built an art chamber called the "Hermitage" for their safekeeping.
Today, the collection of the Hermitage has grown exponentially and is now spread across five building complexes. The holdings are said to comprise over three million objects, with about 65,000 currently displayed in over 350 rooms. The exhibits range from archaeological artefacts to works of contemporary art, and visitors can even visit the magnificent halls from the tsarist era. The Hermitage is not only home to one of the most valuable art collections worldwide, but it also features its orchestra and a theatre for opera, ballet, and concerts. The Hermitage employs about 2,500 staff members and receives support from benefactors worldwide.
The originals of the artworks shown here are on display at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
