Unique exhibition of French impressionists opened in Kazan

On October 11 a unique exhibition “French impressionists and their age” opened in Kazan with participation of Russia’s Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky and Director of State Hermitage Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky. Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Tatarstan Minister of Culture Airat Sibagatullin and Director of Kazan Kremlin museum-reserve Zilya Valeeva took part in the official opening of the exhibition. They all noted particular importance of the exhibition not only for Kazan, but for Russia and the whole world.

The works by Claude Monet, Gustave Boulanger, Henri Matisse, Auguste Renoir and other famous artists will be exhibited in Hermitage Kazan center till February, 25 next year.

At his meeting with journalists Mikhail Piotrovsky said that it is the 17th Hermitage exhibition project in Kazan. The exposition was also presented in Amsterdam with about 200 thousand visitors. Director of State Hermitage Museum called the exhibition “unique, exclusive, unusual and smart”.

The outstanding French prints created in the third half of the 19th century, the most world famous glassworks of the time by Emil Galle and Rene Latique are also presented at the exposition.

Nataila Demina, the exhibition curator - researcher of the Department of Western European Art of the State Hermitage told about the exhibition concept. The exhibition reflects the spirit of the time when impressionists created their works.

Next year the State Hermitage will celebrate its 250-th anniversary. A lot of interesting exhibition projects will be prepared to mark the event. At his meeting with journalists Mikhail Piotrovsky said that negotiations about opening State Hermitage museum’s branches are being held with Omsk and Vladivostok. There are currently two museum’s branches in Russia - in Kazan and Vyborg.