Radical reconstructive surgery is underway at the
Russian Museum
Not all of St Petersburg's 98-year-olds are having a facelift so as to look especially magnificent on their 100th birthday, but then not all of them can expect to live for another century.
In common with most human beings of its age, the Russian Museum receives very little money and has various internal structural ailments. Its prognosis for the future is bright, however, because its complex of palaces are home to one of the world's greatest art collections.
"Many could not hold back their tears," wrote the museum's director during World War II when trucks arrived to evacuate the paintings. The art and buildings survived not only the Siege of Leningrad, but also the cultural philistinism of the Communists.
In 1986, Irina Shalina, chief curator of icons, explained the meaning of icons on a radio program -- she was accused of religious propaganda and the program was pulled off for the year. Freed from such cultural restrictions, the Russian Museum now has icon exhibitions in the Benois Wing of the Mikhailovsky Palace and the Stroganovsky Palace, under the supervision of Ms Shalina.
In a further manifestation of the winds of change, Lenin's pearls of wisdom will soon disappear from the walls of the Marble Palace as part of the repairs underway there. "Lenin had nothing to do with this palace," said museum director Vladimir Gusev. "I'll take his words down myself if no one else does."
The decision to renovate the palaces without closing the museum was taken in 1991 because it was thought that a one-year closure could easily develop into an indefinite closure, as happened with the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
This means certain halls are closed and some exhibitions open "in conditions of repair," but no one misses out on seeing the nation's classical and contemporary masterpieces, Mr Gusev said.
By law the Russian Museum cannot sell any of its paintings and needs permission from the Ministry of Culture even to exchange one. Revenues from visitors, sponsors and exhibitions abroad pay for the acquisition of new works.
The museum is supposed to receive funds from the state but money is not getting to it on time just now. Mr Gusev said there are problems paying for salaries, transport and fire protection.
The repairs are due to be completed in time for the 1998 anniversary celebrations. By then the museum should also have taken full possession of the Mikhailovsky Garden, with 15-20 Russian bronze sculptures to be installed there.