The State Tretyakov Gallery is one of the largest museums in Russia, with over 180 thousand art pieces displayed, including paintings, icons and sculptures depicting Russian art from between 11th and 20th centuries. The most notable pieces displayed are works from the second half of the 19th century i.e. works of Russian realism. The history of the gallery begins in 1856, when Moscow merchant Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov (1832 - 1898) began buying works by Russian artists with the aim of creating a rich collection. Pavel was the owner of a successful textile factory, and he spend some of his income on artwork. He wanted to create a unique gallery where all Russian art pieces would be displayed, which led to him giving his collection over to Russia.
The gallery was built between 1902 and 1904 south of the Kremlin. In the early 20th century, it expanded to several surrounding buildings. The facade was completed in Russian Romantic style, and the chief architect was painter Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. After Tretyakov died, his collection continued to grow, especially after the October Revolution, when the collection was further enlarged by artwork brought in from other museums, monasteries and churches.
In 1985, the Tretyakov gallery opened a department of modern art, which was situated in a large building south of the Kremlin Bridge. The basement of the building was dedicated to a collection of sculptures in the style of “Soviet realism”, including famous statues which were removed from squares after the fall of communism.
Not far from there, a statue of Peter the Great, work of sculptor Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli, reaches a height of 86 meters, which makes it one of the highest sculptures in the world.
The gallery houses around 190 thousand art pieces. Visitors will be able to educate themselves on Russian culture and art through the country’s history, to see artwork of various Russian authors, paying special attention to the late-19th century collection, which is truly breathtaking.
Among the many notable artists whose works are displayed there, we separate Alexey Venetsianov, Ilya Repin, Valentin Serov, Andrei Kolkoutine, Wassily Kandinsky, Vasily Perov and Pavel Nikonov as the most notable.
Ticket prices for the State Tretyakov Gallery
Regular ticket price: 500 rubles
Discount ticket price for students and pensioners from Russia: 250 rubles
Free of charge for children under the age of 18, Russian Army personnel, people with disabilities and their Russian escorts.
Working hours of the State Tretyakov Gallery
The Gallery is closed on Mondays
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Thursday and Friday from 10am to 9pm.
