When you embark on a tour of Moscow’s museums, one of your first stops should definitely be The Pushkin Museum. The museum, whose full name is The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, used to be called The Alexander III Fine Arts Museum. Opened for the public way back in 1912, the museum changed its name twice, only getting the name we know today in 1937, during the reign of the Communist Party, on the 100th anniversary of the great poet’s death.
The building in which the museum is situated was designed by Roman Klein and Vladimir Shukhov. The museum is the largest museum of European art in Moscow, and is situated in the very heart of the city. It contains the masterpieces of great Western European artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, as well as Monet. The museum collection fills two storeys of the building. The first storey includes works from antique times, including a rich collection of Egyptian art, an Asian numismatic collection, a collection of archeological finds and many more.
The second floor of the museum contains paintings, graphic drawings, as well as sculptures dating back to medieval times, as well as ancient Rome and Greece. The museum also has two halls designated for temporary exhibitions and concerts. The famous December Nights Festival has been held in the museums ever since 1981. If you have the chance to attend this event, we recommend that you buy tickets ahead of time, as well as to bear in mind that the museum tends to be very crowded during the festival.
The Pushkin Museum contains copies of the most notable works of art from around the world, such as the doors of the Erechtheion, the sculpture of David with the head of Goliath, as well as the doors of the famous Florence Baptistery.
There is an interesting story that tells of two Russians who bought numerous art pieces in Paris, which enabled them to create a large and incredible collection. The artwork was divided between The State Hermitage Museum and The Pushkin Museum. The latter acquired a series of Monet’s paintings, including the Rouen Cathedral and Water Lilies series, Van Gogh’s The Red Vineyards and Night Cafe, Matisse’s Red Fish, Picasso’s Girl on a Ball, as well as the famous Renoir’s Portrait of Jeanne Samary.
The museum also contains an interactive section, which is very interesting for younger visitors.
Ticket price for the museum
Regular ticket price: 400 rubles
Free entrance for children up to 16 years
Audio guide: 350 rub It is recommended that you buy tickets online
Working hours: every day from 11:00 to 20:00
Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 to 21:00.
Closed on Mondays
photo credit: Pushkinov museum of fine arts
