Italian Religious Art Is Now on View at the Hermitage Museum

The long-standing collaboration between the world-famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria in Perugia resulted in a unique exhibition of Italian religious art from the 13th-15th centuries. It is for the first time that nearly 40 gorgeous religious works of the Proto-Renaissance period were brought to Russia from Italy. Such a special showcase, which is titled “Arts of the Middle Ages. Masterpieces from the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria,” features pieces by both anonymous and renowned artists, including Luca di Tommè, Duccio di Buoninsegna, and Gentile da Fabriano, among others. Russian visitors now have a unique opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Italy, which is noted by the amazing synthesis of art, excellent artistry, and spirituality. The display is on view at the Heritage Museum through August 22, 2021.

Fragments of a choir screen (1270-1280) from the Church of Saint Francis in Perugia. Photo courtesy of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

Italian religious art of the Proto-Renaissance period at the Hermitage

“Arts of the Middle Ages. Masterpieces from the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria” is hosted by the State Hermitage Museum, one of the leading art museums in the world. Featuring unique works of applied art, paintings, and sculptures from the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, this exhibition is, without a doubt, a significant event for the cultural life of both Russia and Italy.

A double-sided cross with a depiction of the Crucifixion (1270-1280) from the Church of Saint Francis in Perugia. Photo courtesy of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

Every piece of Italian religious art displayed at the Hermitage has a historical and cultural value. In the words of the Museum’s General Director Mikhail Piotrovsky, this art exhibition is remarkable in many ways: “It conducts a dialogue with the collection of early Italian art kept in the Hermitage, and that dialogue will be continued with an exhibition from the Hermitage in Perugia.” 

“Madonna and Child” (1320-1340) by an unknown Perugian master of Madonna. Photo courtesy of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

Among the highlights presented at the Hermitage Museum are fragments of a choir screen and a double-sided cross with a depiction of the Crucifixion from the Church of Saint Francis in Perugia, an inspiring painting portraying Madonna and Child by an unknown Perugian master of Madonna, the polyptych “Madonna and Child with Saints” by Luca di Tommè, and “Madonna and Child” by Meo di Guido da Siena.

“Madonna and Child with Saints” (1370-1380) by Luca di Tommè. Photo courtesy of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

It should be noted that “Arts of the Middle Ages. Masterpieces from the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria” is dedicated to the memory of Tatiana Kustodieva who was one of the oldest members of the Hermitage staff and a remarkable expert in Italian painting of the 13th-16th centuries.

“Madonna and Child” (1320-1340) by Meo di Guido da Siena. Photo courtesy of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.

If you want to see some truly wonderful pieces of Italian religious art, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Hermitage Museum this summer. This exhibition is definitely worth your time.