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Morris, Gallé and Gifts to Nicholas II: First Halls of New Art Nouveau Exhibition Open at the Hermitage with Rosneft Support
22 December 2025 |
| Photo by the press service of the State Hermitage Museum Photographer A. Bronnikov |
With support from Rosneft, the first two halls of a new permanent Art of the Art Nouveau Era exhibition have opened at the General Staff Building of the State Hermitage Museum. They showcase the work of artists from the second half of the 1880s through the end of the 1890s.
The exhibition centers on the most expressive pieces from the Hermitage collection—objects created by masters of leading European and Russian schools at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, ranging from ceramic and jewelry items to furniture and tapestries. The exhibition curators devoted particular attention to the unique character of art glass represented in the museum's collection.
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| Photo by the press service of the State Hermitage Museum Photographer A. Bronnikov |
The first two halls present visitors with glass, porcelain and majolica pieces—works by Émile Gallé and his contemporaries. These are complemented by jewelry created in Russia as well as in France, Belgium, Austria and other European countries. Among the largest exhibits are The Adoration of the Magi tapestry by William Morris, a Flora of Lorraine table with an inlaid top created by Émile Gallé, and a writing desk by Belgian painter, graphic artist, architect and Art Nouveau theorist Henry van de Velde, acquired specifically for the exhibition at the General Staff Building. The exhibition also presents to the general public for the first time works by ceramic designer William Moorcroft.
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| Photo by the press service of the State Hermitage Museum Photographer A. Bronnikov |
Exhibition visitors will also see gifts received by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in 1896 during their official visit to France. Among them are two glass vases by Émile Gallé mounted in silver by craftsmen from the leading Paris jewelry firm Bapst et Falize, the Nîmes Vase created at the famous Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, and a decorative glass mask made by sculptor Henri Cros. All these objects rank among the finest examples of Art Nouveau.
In several years, the new exhibition will occupy five halls. They will open in stages and trace the results of creative explorations of the 19th century and the development of Art Nouveau in the early 20th century.
For reference:
Rosneft actively participates in significant events and phenomena of Russian cultural life. With the Company's support, the State Hermitage Museum in 2024 opened a renovated Culture and Art of China exhibition covering periods from antiquity through the 20th century. The museum also maintains a permanent Ancient Greek Colonization of the Northern Black Sea Region exhibition. With Rosneft's support, the Hermitage has hosted exhibitions dedicated to the phenomenon of Raphael and the history of Egyptology in Russia.
Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft Oil Company
December 22, 2025