Five-year restoration completed; at the expense of the Eastern wing of the General staff, the exhibition area of the Hermitage will increase by more than 60 thousand sq. m. the Hermitage became one of the largest museums in the world

last Friday saw the official opening of the complex in the Eastern wing of the General staff building, owned by the Hermitage Museum since 1988. The restoration and reconstruction of the building 1820-30-х, architect Carlo Rossi were five years old (they will be fully completed during the fourth quarter of this year). The permanent exhibition will unfold in the Eastern wing of the General staff the following year, when the Hermitage will celebrate 250-летие.

With the advent of new halls in the General staff building of the Hermitage area will increase by more than 60 thousand sq. m. Experts say that work on the restoration of the Eastern wing of the General staff — the most extensive in its design and extent of work completed Museum building for 20 years. In fact, the Hermitage is one of the largest Museum complexes in the world. In the new halls will house the museums of art of the XIX—XX centuries, the Russian Imperial guard, the exhibition of applied art, numismatics, collection of works of the Faberge workshop. In addition, visitors can see the historical room of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire. In the halls of the East wing of the collections of Shchukin and Morozov. Appears to the halls of modern art, including halls Dmitri Prigov and Ilya Kabakov. One of his works and, incidentally, one of the first exhibits of the East wing — installation "Red wagon" — can already be seen in the atrium. Wooden staircase rising up above the car, painting, construction debris — that is how the artist saw three Soviet period istorii@

the project to transform the historic Ministerial building Museum complex in the XXI century, which were dubbed "New Grand enfilade" was based on the historical archetypes of the Hermitage: its enfilade build, direct prospects and large exhibition space illuminated by the upper light. To create extra space, five yards was covered with a light roof — so there was the Suite of rooms connected by glass bridges. For large-scale temporary exhibitions arranged in three halls with a height of 12 meters with skylights. The unique design of skylights will allow considerably to provide natural lighting for paintings. It's modern yet vintage at the St. Petersburg tradition of the space created by the architectural Studio "Studio 44". It is noteworthy that it exists, like a "liner": no modern inclusions from the street is not visible, the appearance of the East wing remained neizmennym@

Restoration of the Eastern wing of the General staff building was complicated by the fact that in the XX century too often changed his purpose, was rebuilt and pereplanirovanii separate parts. The building was repeatedly reconstructed after the fires. During the Great Patriotic war the headquarters had been attacked, suffered multiple injuries. At commencement of works, in 2008, the building was heavily littered, the roof leaked, the walls numarali@

was held a unique complex of engineering works — in the body of an old building "fit" of modern communication, restored the facade, reinforced Foundation. Courtyards returned to its historical color — light-серый, as it was in 1837 (in Soviet times front color was yellow). And most importantly, restored the interior decor and even opened the original painting done by the top masters — Scotty, Whigs, Torricelli, brothers Daganoweda — on ceilings, walls, ovens. Murals were not visible for the later "improvements" of the Soviet period@

26 halls with historic decorative painting experts have developed an individual technique of restoration work. So, for example, one of the rooms previously occupied by the Ministry of foreign Affairs, despite its historical name of "Blue room", had a yellow-коричневую scheme. After removal of later accretions artists-реставраторы returned to the shade of bright blue tones. When clearing in one of the halls of the Ministry of Finance had traces a scenic frieze. After additional archival research the frieze was completely Vasastan@

When conducting cleaning in two rooms 4-го floor to the ceiling was discovered a previously unknown painting of the first third of the XIX century, preserved only 20 % of the original volume that was not enough to recreate the artistic decoration of premises. To preserve the unique finds green griffins from one room, and fragments of another ornament of the hall were removed from the ceiling and restored for the future museification@

a thorough restoration needed original doors, door frames and metal parts of the decor. They were removed and taken to workshops where experts have made every effort to return them to their original appearance. On the doors was recreated finish "under French varnish" on the old technologies, which create the effect ivory kosty@

the Hermitage Employees called the restoration of the fine. In a huge space preserved old spirit — appear before the visitors of the halls and rooms as they were 30-е years of the nineteenth century. Austere room which housed the Ministry of Finance, replaced by lush halls of the Ministry of foreign Affairs. In the nearest future there will be furniture, and Museum visitors will be able to see the interiors of that time. And while the stands telling about the restoration of the premises. On the fourth floor — hall, which houses a collection of impressionist and postimpressionist@

While in the halls of the East wing of the General staff are temporary exhibitions. But very soon they will take major European art forum — Biennale of contemporary art "Manifesta".

the Material was prepared by Maria Onuchin, AI

Источники: rbcdaily.ru, hermitagemuseum.org, artinvestment.ru