“Russian museum”

word "Hermitage" means "a place of solitude". This name was

given in the XVIII century by Catherine П to her private museum housed in a small building adjacent to the Winter Palace and accessible only to the chosen few.

of the greatest museums of the world. At the present,

the collections take up five interconnected buildings. The museum retains its old name.
The accumulation of artefacts let to the formation of new departments devoted to the culture and art of the Peoples of the East, of the Prehistoric culture, and of the Russian culture. Three other departments are those of Western European art, classical antiquities and numismatics.

St. George Hall. The interior of the room is considered

by experts to be a perfect example of the Classical Style. The room covers about 800 square metres, but does not seem enormous due to perfect proportions. It is decorated in the whitest marble and gilded bronze.
The Throne Hall was used for column assemblies. Members of the Tzar's family, when coming of age, took their oaths here.

gorgeous interiors. The hall is decorated in the style of

17 century French Baroque. The Hermitage possesses two, out of 12 or 14 works surviving from Leonardo.

of the museum. It members 24 canvases.
The Return of the

Prodigal Son

pilasters, and floorlamps are veneered with thin plaques of rich

green malachite. About two tons of malachite were used in decoration of the room. 

your horizons and learn more about the art !!!