MELBOURNE.- Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great showcases one of the world’s greatest art collections. Featuring works by artists including Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez and Van Dyck, the exhibition offers more than 400 outstanding works including one of the finest groups of Dutch and Flemish art to come to Australia. 

Jean-Antoine Houdon (French 1741–1828), Catherine II, 1773, marble, 90.0 x 50.0 x 32.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. Н.ск. 1676). Transferred from the Stroganov Palace, Leningrad, 1928.

The Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP said, ‘Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great showcases treasures from one of the largest, oldest and most visited museums in the world. Another major event for Melbourne, this exhibition provides visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see first-hand the extraordinary personal collection of Catherine the Great, drawn from the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg.’ 

Alexander Roslin (Swedish 1718–93), Portrait of Catherine II, 1776–77, oil on canvas, 271.0 х 189.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-1316). Acquired from the artist, 1777.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘This exhibition celebrates the tenacity and vision of a true innovator in the arts. Catherine the Great’s inexhaustible passion for the arts, education and culture heralded a renaissance, leading to the formation of one of the world’s great museums, the Hermitage.’ 

The State Hermitage Museum facade, St Petersburg

‘We are delighted that we have the good fortune of bringing one of the world’s most important collections to Australian audiences. Masterpieces from the Hermitage is a rare opportunity to be immersed in the world of Catherine the Great and her magnificent collection of art,’ Mr Ellwood said. 

Russian, 'Catherine II’s Rules of Behaviour for Guests to her Hermitages', 1770–80, lacquered wood, gilding 78 x 60 x 3 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЭРД 330);

Catherine the Great’s reign from 1762 to 1796 was known as a golden age and is remembered for her exceptional patronage of the arts, literature and education. Of German heritage, Catherine the Great was well connected in European art and literature circles. She saw herself as a reine-philosophe (Philosopher Queen), a new kind of ruler in the Age of Enlightenment. Guided by Europe’s leading intellectuals, such as the French philosophers Voltaire and Diderot, she sought to modernise Russia’s economy, industry and government, drawing inspiration both from classical antiquity and contemporary cultural and political developments in Western Europe. 

Konstantin Ukhtomsky (Russian 1818–81), The Raphael Loggia, 1860, watercolour, 42.0 х 25.0 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-11741). Acquired from the author in 1860.

A prolific acquirer of art of the period, Catherine the Great’s collection reflects the finest contemporary art of the 18th century as well as the world’s best old masters of the time, with great works by French, German, Chinese, British, Dutch and Flemish artists. Notable in this exhibition are entire groups of works acquired from renowned collections from France, Germany and England representing the best collections offered for sale at the time. The exhibition features four Rembrandts, including the notable Young woman trying on earrings, known as one of most intimate images Rembrandt ever created. The exhibition also includes 80 particularly fine drawings by artists including Poussin, Rubens, Clouet and Greuze. 

Benjamin Patersen (Swedish 1750–1815), 'The embankment on Vasilyevsky Island by the Academy of Fine Arts', (c. 1799), oil on canvas, 64.5 х 93.7 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЭРЖ-1901). Transferred from the State Russian Museum, Leningrad, 1950

Exquisite decorative arts have come to Australia for the exhibition, including 60 items from the Cameo Service of striking enamel-painted porcelain made by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory in Paris. Commissioned by Catherine the Great for her former lover and military commander, Prince Grigory Potemkin, the dinner service features carved and painted imitation cameos — miniature works of art — based on motifs from the French Royal collection. 

Giacomo Quarenghi (Italian 1744–1817), 'Design for the interior finishes of the Hermitage Picture Gallery', (early 1800s), pen and ink, watercolour, 53.5 х 99.5 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-9699). Acquired from Giulio Quarenghi in 1818

Director of the Hermitage Museum, Mikhail Piotrovsky, said, ‘These outstanding works from the personal collection of Catherine the Great represent the crown jewels of the Museum. It was through the collection of these works and Catherine the Great’s exceptional vision that the Hermitage was founded. Today it is one of the most visited museums in the world. We are very pleased to be able to share these precious works with Australian audiences at the 250-year anniversary of this important institution.’ 

Giuseppe Valeriani (Italian (c. 1708)–1762), 'Vestibule of a palace with numerous columns and figures', (mid 18th century), pen and ink and grey wash over pencil, 35.1 х 51.2 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-6261). Acquired before 1797.

Visitors to the exhibition can immerse themselves in Catherine the Great’s world evoking a sensory experience of a visit to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The exhibition design has rich treatments of architectural details, interior furnishings, wallpapers and a colour palette directly inspired by the Hermitage’s gallery spaces. Enveloping multimedia elements give visitors a sense of being inside the Hermitage, evoking the lush and opulent interiors. The foundations of the Hermitage Museum were laid in 1764 by Catherine the Great and the museum has been open to the general public since 1852. With 3 million items in its holdings, the Hermitage is often regarded as having the finest collection of paintings in the world today. In 2014, the Hermitage celebrated its 250-year anniversary and opened a new wing with 800 rooms dedicated to art from the 19th to 21st centuries. 

Giovanni Volpato (Italian 1740–1803), Grotesques with allegories of Day and Night, (c. 1770), hand-coloured engraving, 115.5 x 49.8 cm (image). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОГ-122757). Acquired before 1820.

Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great is organised by the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg in association with the National Gallery of Victoria and Art Exhibitions Australia. The exhibition is supported by the Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance (AGIEI) Program. This program provides funding for the purchase of insurance for significant cultural exhibitions. Without AGIEI, the high cost of insuring significant cultural items would prohibit this major exhibition from touring to Australia. The NGV and AEA also acknowledge the support of Victorian Major Events Company and Mazda Australia for their assistance in realising this important exhibition. 

Carlo Galli-Bibiena (Austrian 1728–87 ), 'Design for the interior decoration of a library', (1770s), pen and ink, grey wash and watercolour over pencil, 32.0 х 44.0 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-231). Acquired before 1797.

Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great is at NGV International from 31 July – 8 November 2015 and it's presented alongside David Bowie is at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image as part of the 2015 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.

Charles de Wailly (French 1730–98), 'Design for a pavilion of the Sciences and the Arts in an English park (View from the side of the entrance to the Temple of Minerva). Sheet from an album', 1773, pen and ink, grey wash, 56.2 x 92.3 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-6869).

Giacomo Quarenghi (Italian 1744–1817), Façade of the Exchange, 1783, pen and ink, watercolour, 35.0 х 58.0 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-10507). Acquired from Giulio Quarenghi in 1818.

Charles-Louis Clérisseau (French 1721–1820), 'Design for the paintings in the cell of Father Lesueur in the Monastery of Santissima Trinità dei Monti in Rome', 1766–68, pen and black and brown ink, brown and grey wash, 36.7 x 53.3 cm(sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-2598). Acquired from the artist by Catherine II on 5 May 1780.

Charles-Louis Clérisseau (French 1721–1820), 'Architectural fantasy (with a statue of Menander)', 1782, gouache, pen and brown ink, 60.5 х 47.1 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-43672). Acquired from the artist, 1782.

Charles-Louis Clérisseau (French 1721–1820), 'Architectural fantasy (with a portico and sarcophagus)', 1782, gouache, pen and brown and black ink, 47.5 x 60.5 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-16922). Acquired from the artist, 1782.

Giuseppe Manocchi (Italian (c. 1731)–1782 ), 'The ruins of the Temple of Jupiter the Thunderer in the Roman Forum' (1770s) , watercolour, pen and ink, 68.8 x 48.8 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg  (Inv. no. ОР-4498). Acquired before 1797.

James Tassie (workshop) (England 1735–99), Bust of Didius Julianus (1780s), white glass, gilded paper, 4.8 x 4.1 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. R-T, 12103 б). Purchased from James Tassie 1783–88.

James Tassie (workshop) (England 1735–99), Neptune in a chariot drawn by hippocampi (1780s), coloured glass, gilded paper, 5.0 x 4.1 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. R-T, 817 a). Purchased from James Tassie 1783–88.

Selection of cameos, medallions, engraved marquetry, veneer and gilded bronze, 128.0 x 117.0 x 41.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg.

James Roach, London (attributed to) (cabinet maker) (England active (1783–90), Cabinet for casts of engraved gems, 1783–88. Oak, Fir, Pine, Satinwood, Maple, Ebony, Rosewood, white paste medallions, engraved marquetry veneer and gilded bronze, 128.0 x 117.0 x 41.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. Эпр 342).

Sèvres Porcelain Factory (manufacturer) (France est. 1756), Louis-Simon Boizot (designer and modeller) (France 1743–1809 ), 'Telemachus and Calypso, figure group from the Cameo Service', 1778–79, porcelain (biscuit), 32.0 x 36.0 x 27.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЧ-7203).

Sèvres Porcelain Factory, Sèvres (manufacturer) (France est. 1756), Coffee pot, milk jug, sugar bowl, cup and saucer from the Cameo Service, 1778–79, porcelain (soft-paste), gilt. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Commissioned by Catherine ll as a gift for Prince Grigory Potemkin in 1777; Potemkin’s Taurida Palace, St Petersburg from 1779; transferred to the Hofmarshal’s Office of the Winter Palace after his death; 1922 transferred to the State Hermitage Museum.

Sèvres Porcelain Factory (manufacturer) (France est. 1756), 'Pair of coffee pots with lids from the Cameo Service', 1778–79, porcelain (soft-paste), gilt, 15.0 x 19.9 (each) (pot); 3.2 x 6.8 cm diameter (each) (lid). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЧ-678.a-b, ГЧ-679. a-b). Commissioned by Catherine ll as a gift for Prince Grigory Potemkin in 1777; Potemkin's Taurida Palace, St Petersburg from 1779; transferred to the Hofmarshal's Office of the Winter Palace after his death; 1922 transferred to the State Hermitage Museum.

Sèvres Porcelain Factory (manufacturer) (France est. 1756), Cameo Service, 1778–79 (detail), porcelain (soft-paste), gilt. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg Commissioned by Catherine ll as a gift for Prince Grigory Potemkin in 1777; Potemkin's Taurida Palace, St Petersburg from 1779; transferred to the Hot marshal's Office of the Winter Palace after his death; transferred to the Hermitage, 1922.

Francesco Cairo (Italian 1607–65), Portrait of a poet (17th century), oil on canvas, 60.5 x 50.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-38). Acquired from the collection of the Comte de Baudouin, Paris, 1781.

Giulio Campi (Italian (c. 1508)–1573), Portrait of a man (1550s), oil on canvas, 105.5 х 83.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-106). Acquired from the collection of Baron Louis Antoine Crozat de Thiers, Paris, 1772

Leonardo Da Vinci (school), Female nude (Donna Nuda) (early 16th century), oil on canvas, 86.5 х 66.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-110). Acquired from the collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779.

Domenico Capriolo (Italian (c. 1494)–1528), Portrait of a young man, 1512, oil on canvas, 117.0 х 85.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-21). Acquired from the collection of Baron Louis Antoine Crozat de Thiers, Paris, 1772.

Titian (Italian [1488–90]–1576), Portrait of a young woman [c.1536], oil on canvas, 96.0 х 75.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg [Inv. No. ГЭ-71]. Acquired from the collection of Baron Louis-Antoine Crozat de Thiers, Paris 1772.

Paris Bordone (Italian 1500–71), Portrait of a lady with a boy (mid 1530s), oil on canvas, 97.0 x 77.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-70). Acquired 1774–85.

Theodor Rombouts (Flemish 1597–1637), Card game (c. 1630), oil on canvas, 143.0 х 224.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-522). Acquired 1763–74.

Frans Hals (Flemish 1581/85–1666), Portrait of a young man holding a glove (c. 1650), oil on canvas, 80.0 х 66.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-982). Acquired from the collection of Johann Gotzkowski, Berlin, 1764.

Frans Snyders (Flemish 1579–1657), Jan Boeckhorst (German 1605–68), Cook at a kitchen table with dead game (c. 1636–37), oil on canvas, 171.0 х 173.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ 608). Acquired from the collection of Johann Gotzkowsky, Berlin, 1764.

Peter Paul Rubens and workshop (Flemish 1577–1640), The Adoration of the Magi (c. 1620), oil on canvas, 235.0 х 277.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. № ГЭ-494). Acquired from the collection of Dufresne, Amsterdam, 1770.

Frans Snyders (Flemish 1579–1657), Concert of birds (1630–40), oil on canvas, 136.5 х 240.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-607). Acquired from the collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779.

Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish 1577–1640), The carters (c. 1620), oil on canvas, 86.0 х 126.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-480).

Rembrandt Harmensz. Van Rijn (Dutch 1606–69), Portrait of a scholar, 1631, oil on canvas, 104.5 х 92.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-744). Acquired from the collection of Count Heinrich von Brühl, Dresden, 1769.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (workshop) (Dutch 1606–69), Portrait of a young man in a beret (1640s), oil on canvas, 83.5 х 66.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-761). Acquired before 1797.

Rembrandt Harmensz. Van Rijn (Dutch 1606–1669), Young woman trying on earrings, 1657, oil on wood panel, 39.5 х 32.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-784). Acquired from the collection of the Comte de Baudouin, Paris, 1781.

Melchior d’Hondecoeter (Dutch 1636–95), Birds in a park, 1686, oil on canvas, 136.0 х 164.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-1042). Acquired from the collection of Jacques Aved, Paris, 1766.

Jacob Duck (Dutch 1600–67), Guardroom (1650s), oil on canvas, 149.5 x 207.5 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-1060). Acquired 1763–74.

Diego Velázquez (Spanish 1599–1660), Luncheon (c. 1617–18), oil on canvas, 108.5 х 102.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-389). Acquired 1763–74.

Pierre Dumoustier the Elder (French (c. 1545)–1625), Portrait of Etienne Dumoustier (c. 1570), black and red chalk, touches of pastel, 39.5 x 27.6 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-7400). Acquired from the collection of Count Cobenzl, Brussels, 1768.

Albrecht Dürer (German 1471–1528), Study of a seated youth holding scales, 1497, pen and brown ink, 24.2 x 20.8 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-16). Acquired from the collection of Count Cobenzl, Brussels, 1768.

Luca Giordano (Italian 1634–1705),  A courtesan, 1606, red, black and white chalk on light grey 
paper, 24.0 x 19.0 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-3742). Acquired from the collection of Count Cobenzl, Brussels, 1768.

Rembrandt Harmensz. Van Rijn (Dutch 1606–69), Youth in oriental costume (1630/31), red chalk, 24.5 x 17.5 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-14946). Acquired from Ivan Betskoy collection in 1767 for the Museum of the Academy of Arts. Transferred to the Hermitage in 1924.

François Boucher (French 1703–70), Study of a female nude, 1740, red, black and white chalk on brown paper, 26.2 x 34.6 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-382). Acquired from the collection of Count Cobenzl, Brussels, 1768.

Luca Signorelli (Italian 1450–1523), Study of the head of an elderly man (1480s), pen and brown ink, brown wash, 26.9 x 18.7 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-7228). Acquired from the collection of Count Cobenzl, Brussels, 1768.

Godfrey Kneller (German 1646–1723), Portrait of Grinling Gibbons, (c. 1690), oil on canvas, 125.5 х 101.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-1346). Acquired from the collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779.

Anthony van Dyck, Portrait of Philadelphia and Elizabeth Wharton, 1640, oil on canvas, 162.0 х 130.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-533). Acquired from the collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779.

Joshua Reynolds (English 1723–92), Cupid untying the zone of Venus, 1788, oil on canvas, 127.5 х 101.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ГЭ-1320). Acquired from the collection of Prince Grigory Potemkin, St Petersburg, 1792.

Chinese, Toilet service (early 18th century), glass, mercury amalgam, paper, silver, filigree, parcel-gilt, wood, velvet, peacock and king-fisher feathers, mother-of-pearl, crystals, 88.7 x 54.8 x 28.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-472/ 1,2, ВВс-373).

Chinese, Table decoration in the form of a pair of birds (1740s–50s), silver, enamel, silver-gilt, 26.0 x 26.0 x 15.0 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-27, ВВс-190). Acquired before 1789.

Chinese, Crab-shaped box on a leaf tray (1740s–50s), silver, enamel, silver-gilt, (a) 4.0 x 14.0 x 13.0 cm (box), (b) 3.0 x 22.0 x 17.0 cm (tray). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-10 а, б, ВВс-187). Acquired before 1789. Эрмитаж-Hermitage.

Chinese, Vessel with two handles in the form of dragons and stand (early 17th century), silver, enamel, silver-gilt, wood, 28.5 x 15.0 cm diameter (vessel), 7.0 х 21.5 cm (stand). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ЛС-102, ВВс-227, ЗК-388). Acquired before 1789. HERMITAGE.

Ilya Neyelov (Russian 1745–93), 'Design for an octagonal Chinese pavilion with balconies' (1770s), pen and ink, watercolour, 32.0 x 22.0 cm (sheet). The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg (Inv. no. ОР-23368). Acquired before 1797.

Chinese gold hair ornaments. LAVRENTYEV / STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM.