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My Hermitage: How the Hermitage Survived Tsars, Wars, and Revolutions to Become the Greatest Museum in the World

by Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky
Skira Rizzoli. 2015. 384p. tr. from Russian by Antonina W. Bouis. illus. notes. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780847843787. $45. FINE ARTS
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Piotrovsky has been the director of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, for nearly 25 years. He is the author of numerous books and museum catalogs. This memoir reviews the museum's collection highlights with the premise that the institution belongs to all people. Full-color images and brief descriptions of the architecture, archaeological works, art, and monuments fill the pages. While the summaries provide information and context for each image, more lengthy essays chronicle the history of the museum campus and how some of the original collections were acquired. The pieces further include discussions of contemporary controversies and aspects of the collections that draw special attention, as well as the stories of collection curators.
VERDICT This account will be of interest to people planning a visit to the Hermitage and for those wanting a brief glimpse into the museum. The well-crafted text will send readers who want more detail to additional resources.
Reviewed by Valerie Nye, Coll. of Santa Fe, NM , Feb 01, 2016
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