THE HERMITAGE

            One of the world-wide known museums is the Hermitage. The word «Hermitage» means «a place of solitude». This name was given in the XVIII century by Catherine II to her private museum housed in a small building adjacent to the Winter Palace and accessible only to the chosen few.

               In the course of time, the Hermitage grew into one of the greatest museums of the world. At the present, the collections take up five interconnected buildings. The museum retains its old name.

               The accumulation of artifacts let to the formation of new departments devoted to the culture and art of the Peoples of the East, of the Prehistoric culture, and of the Russian cul­ture. Three other departments are those of Western European art, classical antiquities and numismatics.

               One of the rooms that impressed visitor the most is St. George Hall. The interior of the room is considered by experts to be a perfect example of the Classical Style. The room covers about 800 square metres, but does not seem enormous due to perfect proportions. It is decorated in the whitest marble and gilded bronze.

The Throne Hall was used for column assemblies. Members of the Tzar’s family, when coming of age, took their oaths here.

                The Leonardo da Vinci Hall is one of the most gorgeous in­teriors. The hall is decorated in the style of 17 century French Baroque. The Hermitage possesses two, out of 12 or 14 works surviving from Leonardo.

                The Rembrandt collection is one of the most treasured pos­sessions of the museum. It numbers 24 canvases.

                The Malachite Room reflects the style of 1839. The co­lumns, pilasters, and floorlamps are veneered with thin pla­ques of rich green malachite. About two tons of malachite were used in decoration of the room.

QUESTIONS:

1. What does the word «Hermitage» mean?

2. How many departments are there in the Hermitage? What are they?

3. The interior of which room is the best example of the Classical Style?

4. What kinds of material are used for the decoration of St. George’s Hall?

5. Why was the Throne Hall so important?

6. How many works of Leonardo da Vinci does the Hermi­tage possess?

7. What is the most treasured possession of the Hermitage?

8. What material was used for the decoration of the Mala­chite Room?

VOCABULARY:

solitude — уединение

adjacent — соседний, смежный

accessible — доступный

artifact(s) — экспонат

to impress — впечатлять

perfect — совершенный

marble — мрамор

oaths — клятва, присяга .

to possess — владеть

gorgeous — великолепный

jewelry — драгоценности, украшения

pilaster — пилястра

plaque — пластина, доска