He begins by describing his visit to the State Hermitage Museum in 1986, where he was able to contemplate the painting alone for hours.
He also was the director of the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad in 1931-1934.
Today, the church is an unconsecrated exhibition hall of the State Hermitage Museum.
In 1931-33 he worked at the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad.
Today, the empty hall is occasionally used for special exhibitions held by the State Hermitage Museum.
At the State Hermitage Museum, as at all large Russian arts institutions, the talk is mostly of money.
Today, as part of the State Hermitage Museum, this room retains its original decoration.
The painting is in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
The State Hermitage Museum here is one of the most glittering and opulent palaces in the world.
In 1999 an archaeological expedition of the State Hermitage Museum began work at the site.