Dancing

The Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet was founded in the 1740s, following the formation of the first Russian dance school in 1738. The Imperial Theatre School, as it was originally known, was established on 4 May 1738, at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. It would become the predecessor of today's Vaganova Ballet Academy. The school's founder director was the French ballet master and teacher Jean-Baptiste Landé and the purpose of creating the school was to train young dancers to form the first Russian ballet company.

Painting

Ivan Aivazovsky. The Ninth Swell

“The Knight at the Crossroads” is one of Viktor Vasnetsov’s iconic paintings on a fabulously epic theme. The creation of the author’s canvas was inspired by the epic “Ilya of Muromets and robbers.” The inscription on the stone corresponds to the famous folklore warning. An interesting fact: the image of the hero is reproduced on the gravestone of the artist. The painting hangs in the Mikhailovsky Palace in room 38.

Sculpture

Monument to Catherine the Great

This monument to Catherine the Great was unveiled in 1873. The Empress was adored by the people of St. Petersburg for all her efforts to improve the life and education provided by the city. The monument was designed by the Russian artist M.O. Mikeshin and created by the best sculptors and architects of the day. Catherine the Great is dressed in her official gown and holds a scepter in her right hand and an olive wreath in her left hand. The pedestal is decorated with the symbols of royal power.