Glazunov Gallery

This elaborate Russian empire–style mansion, opposite the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, houses a new gallery dedicated to the work of Soviet and post-Soviet artist Ilya Glazunov. Apparently this gallery was a long time coming, due primarily to the artist’s own insistence on moulded ceilings, marble staircases and crystal chandeliers. But it was worth the wait, as the interior is impressive: three floors filled with fanciful illustrations of historic events and biblical scenes. Glazunov is famous for his huge, colourful paintings that depict hundreds of people, places and events from Russian history in one monumental scene. His most famous work is Eternal Russia (Bechnaya Rossiya), while more recent examples are Mystery of the 20th Century and Market of Our Democracy. Such social commentary is a rather recent development, of course; the artist’s earlier work tended to focus on medieval and fairytale themes.