The Museum of Russian Impressionism was founded by public figure, entrepreneur and philanthropist Boris Mintz in 2016. The museum is located on the site of the former Bolshevik confectionery factory and is within walking distance of Belorusskaya metro station. The cylindrical museum building looks like a modern Hi‑Tech construction, but in fact it is a restored factory building that, during the factory's operation, was used for storing sugar and flour. The reconstruction project was led by the British architectural firm John McAslan + Partners. The historic building was clad in gray perforated metal, the interior space was divided into five floors, and the interiors are kept in calm, light tones.
Main exhibition hall of the museum
Touchscreens with documentary information about the paintings
Conceptual hatches on the grounds of the former Bolshevik confectionery factory
The museum building houses three exhibition halls; the main exhibition is located on the second floor. The museum's collection consists of works by outstanding Russian painters: Konstantin Korovin, Vasily Polenov, Valentin Serov, Nikolay Dubovsky. 'In the Ravine' is the earliest painting in the collection, dated 1879. Many of the exhibited paintings were returned from abroad. The development of Russian Impressionism was hindered by revolutionary events and the popularity of the avant‑garde. Despite this, many domestic artists remained faithful to Impressionism and continued to work in that style.
Stanislav Yulianovich Zhukovsky. Interior of a Room. Canvas, oil. 1910–1920.
The exhibition space is organized in accordance with international museum standards and takes into account the needs of all categories of visitors: a barrier‑free environment has been created, and tactile stations for the visually impaired are provided. The museum has public Wi‑Fi and a free audio guide available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions. Some paintings are accompanied by vials with complex scents that evoke certain associations with what is seen. The museum is currently hosting the exhibition 'Group 13. In the Alleyways of an Era', which tells the story of the artistic association '13', which existed from 1929 to 1931.
Exhibition 'Group 13. In the Alleyways of an Era'
Exhibition 'Group 13. In the Alleyways of an Era'
The Museum of Russian Impressionism regularly hosts themed events, workshops for children and adults, and temporary exhibitions highlighting the work of both well‑known and lesser‑known artists. On the museum's roof there is a café and an observation deck, open in the summer, and in the basement there is a shop selling books and gifts.
