Museums: Tretyakov Gallery receives Nikolai Ge’s collection of paintings

The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow has received 55 paintings by the 19th c. Russian artist Nikolai Ge. Ge’s works were donated to the gallery by VTB bank, having bought them out the Swiss private collection.

Paintings donation was timed to 155th anniversary of the Tretyakov Gallery. “This is a very important donation timed to our anniversary, because classical art is rather expensive now and the museum itself can’t afford to acquire such works”, said Irina Lebedeva, Museum’s Director.

The ceremony which took place May 23 brought together representatives of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, including Russia’s Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeev. He promised to back the museum, “take care of every new project and resolve difficulties, encountered by the museum.

The exhibition which will put on display donated paintings is scheduled for the autumn 2011, the Tretyakov Gallery.