Main Exhibition of the Museum of Russian Social Estates

About exhibition

The Museum of Russian Social Estates was created by world-renowned artist Ilya Glazunov, who donated to the city a collection of unique works of Russian and European art. The building's façade and interiors were executed to his designs. Glazunov personally developed the exhibition of each hall. The first floor is dedicated to the culture, traditions and everyday life of the nobility. On display are masterpieces of Western European and Russian painting, furniture made of mahogany and Karelian birch, bronze clocks, sculpture, and secular costume from the second half of the 18th and the early 19th centuries. Particular attention is paid to the works presented in the print cabinet: unique coronation albums of Russian monarchs, prints, illuminated manuscripts, and commemorative medals. The second section deals with Russian Orthodoxy. The halls contain icons of the northern and Novgorod schools, as well as masterpieces created by the masters of the Armory Chamber. Church sculpture, cast-bronze crosses and folding icons complement the presentation of the tradition of decorating Russian churches. The third floor is devoted to the peasant estate. Here a northern izba interior with a real Russian stove has been recreated. The halls display a rich collection of folk costume from 20 Russian governorates, a collection of printed cotton and silk scarves, shawls, household items, carved and painted spinning wheels, chests and sleds.