Tag: Hermitage

Crouching Boy Close Up

Barely more than an arm’s length away, Michelangelo’s Crouching Boy rests behind ropes in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Appreciating Michelangelo’s Work at the Hermitage Of the many things to appreciate about St. Petersburg’s Hermitage—in addition to the vastness and quality of its art collection—is the opportunity to experience so much of it up close and in a luxurious…

The Matisse Dance: Practice/Perfection

A portion of Henri Matisse's Dance at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The work was a study for the final version, which is at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

The Dance of Matisse in New York and Russia     Henri Matisse’s Dance works appear in practice form in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and in their final version in its Hermitage in Saint Petersburg,…

Christ of Many Colors

Jesus at the Church of the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

On this Palm Sunday, marvel at the varied images of Jesus depicted in churches and other places around the world. Sometimes he is a baby with the face of someone far more mature, sometimes he is an adult, sometimes with…

Moscow Now

Any number of people, knowing that I’ve visited Russia, say to me, “I’d never go there now.” I can’t help but think, why not? Well, there’s that crisis in Ukraine, of course. Yet most people I know wouldn’t be heading…