TOP 10 most famous paintings of the Hermitage

We are often asked what to see in the Hermitage "if I have only two or three hours before I leave." We tried to answer this question in our main post about the Hermitage, but realized that a list of the 10 best paintings not to be missed requires a special article. So here, take four minutes to go through the list and select the paintings that you will regret if you miss.

1. The return of the prodigal son

The painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son" was painted by Rembrandt from 1666 to 1669.

This painting can be called the largest of all religious paintings by Rembrandt. In the picture you can see the final scene of the parable about the return of the prodigal son. In the foreground are two figures - a father and a son, who returned to his father's house. The father is glad to see his son. Nobody knows who the other four people in the picture are - some suggest that they are the brothers and sisters of the "prodigal son". There is an opinion that the two people on the right are father and son before their son leaves. The painting was acquired by the Russian ambassador and diplomat Dmitry Golitsyn in France, and then given to the Hermitage in 1766.

2. Madonna Litta

Another popular painting of the Hermitage is Madonna Litta, painted in the 15th century. Usually, the writing of this picture is attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci, but there is an opinion that this work belongs to his student.

There is a pencil drawing of the Madonna in the Louvre. The face in this painting is similar to that of Madonna Lita, which is why people attribute the authorship to da Vinci. The painting shows two figures - a woman with a baby. She wanted to stop breastfeeding, but seeing the baby clutching at the breast, she decided to continue feeding.

3. Madonna Conestabile

Madonna Conestabile, later named as Madonna of the Book, is a miniature by Raphael.

Some critics believe that this picture is not completely painted. This is the last picture of Raphael, which was painted before he left for Florence, at the age of 20. When the painting was transferred to the canvas from the board, the artists learned that at first the Madonna was holding a pomegranate in her hand instead of a holy book. The pomegranate is a symbol of sacrifice and shed blood. In the foreground, you can see a woman and a baby, enthusiastically reading a book. This painting is the only work of Raphael that can be seen in Russia.

4. Apostles Peter and Paul

"The Apostles Peter and Paul" is a painting by Greco, painted in 1587-1592, in Spain. The painting depicts two figures, two opposites: Paul, intelligent, categorical, merciless and Peter, indecisive and doubtful. Paul fully agrees with what is written in the Scriptures. At the same time, Peter, in his soul, questions the text written in the book, which makes him indecisive. El Gerko is the first artist to paint these two figures so differently. And that is why many art critics continue to look for hidden symbols in this picture in our time.

5. Thatched cottages in Cordeville

Thatched Cottages in Cordeville was painted by Van Gogh, a few months before his death, in 1890. He painted this picture in France, where he went to be treated.

One theory says that the houses depicted in the painting resemble Van Gogh's homeland, Holland. He returned there for several months and painted several houses. The painting depicts several houses in yellow and green, with a dark blue sky behind them. The place is quiet and peaceful. This painting was in the collection of Savva Morozov. In 1917, he thought to give this painting to the Hermitage or to the Pushkin City Museum of Fine Arts, but his choice settled on the Hermitage.

6. Woman holding a fetus

The painting "The Woman Holding the Fruit" was originally called "Where Are You Going". It was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1893, during his first visit to Tahiti.

The picture shows a village in Tahiti. In the foreground is a woman walking somewhere with a large fruit in her hands. Some critics think this is a real woman. The woman's face is narrowed and suspicious. The colors and atmosphere of the painting show that the weather is very hot. In the background, two women can be seen, they are carefully looking at the main character. The Woman Holding the Fruit was bought by Savva Morozov and given to the Hermitage in 1917.

7. Boulevard Montmartre in Paris

Boulevard Montmartre in Paris is an oil painting by Pissarro in 1897.

This painting is part of a series of paintings by Pissarro, showing the Parisian boulevards in different seasons and weather. The author wanted to show real life in Paris, so the street is crowded and busy, carriages and pedestrians are going - they are all in a hurry somewhere. The author shows that movement is life. She cannot stop or subside. Life in Paris fascinates Pissarro: he uses different colors besides gray and dull colors.

8. Two sisters (Date)

The painting "Two Sisters (Date)" was painted by Pablo Picasso in 1902.

The plot of this painting was born to Picasso in a hospital for prostitutes. The painting depicts two women, one of whom gives the child to her sister, who will take him to the monastery. There are only cold colors in the picture: only humility and redemption without love, happiness and faith. The author depicts a biblical motive: a sinner and a nun who looks like a god. She is ready to take the child of the sinner. Also, there is a shadow only behind the sinner - this is also a symbolic detail.

9. Lady in blue

The painting "Lady in Blue" is the only painting by Thomas Gainsborough that is presented in Russia. It was painted in the late 1770s. Some critics think the lady in the painting is the Duchess Elizabeth Beaufort. The woman in the picture is about 33 years old. The author showed in the picture the elegance and gallantry inherent in the ladies of high society in England. Also, this picture demonstrates the fashion in England of those years, using the example of Elizabeth Beaufort's clothes and hairstyles. The painting was acquired by the Russian collector Alexei Khitrovo for his collection of English portraits. By his will, in 1912, it was given to the Hermitage.

10. Danae

Danae Titian is the most famous of his paintings, painted in 1554 in Italy. It is also one of the most erotic works of Titian.

The plot of the picture comes from ancient ancient myths. Critics believe that the woman in the foreground was doomed to celibacy by her father because the oracle predicted his death at the hands of his grandson. Zeus entered the dungeon of Danae in the form of a golden rain. But this did not surprise her, she remained quiet and calm. All the colors in this picture show her languor and heat. Russian poet Maximilian Voloshin described the colors of "Danae" as autumn and bronze.