A set of photos from a visit to (a small fraction of) the State Hermitage Museum.
Queue for entry. At this point in the afternoon, the waiting was less than an hour (thank goodness for MP3 players). In the mornings it can be significantly longer.
The museum is often-confusing complex of linked buildings centred on the Winter Palace. This is one of the side “entrances”.
The Jordan staircase of the Winter Palace.
The building housing the collection is as stunning as some of works presented.
The art collections (including the impressive post-impressionist collection) were very busy. Other collections, such as the ancient artifacts on the ground floor of the Winter Palace, were practically deserted.
The Russian National Museum, housed in the Mikhailovich Palace, is worth a visit (especially as its scale is more manageable).
It was noticeable that the male figures in Renaissance pictures were generally very well sculpted. This chap was practically tubby compared to a nearby picture of the Prodigal Son, who had clearly wasted his substance on gym membership rather than wine and women…