I spent Saturday lounging around my hotel room, looking at the blue and gold starred church dome through the skylight, doing some hand laundry, and finding creative ways to hang it up to dry. I caught up on the blog. Took naps. I could feel my body soaking up the peace. A day of rest was past due.
SUNDAY – The General Staff Building
I Ubered to the grand arch in the curve of the building that faces the Hermitage. I took a left, hunting for the entrance to the General Staff building, the home of the impressionist collection. I did it out of a sense of obligation and duty, with country music cranked up in my earbuds. It’s the playlist I use when I’m happy or need extra starch in my spine. I had really low expectations, but stumbled across several pieces that surprised me, along with some excretable sculpture, (that’s not a criticism, that’s a description) and Renoir’s pug-faced women. So far I’ve avoided Malevich. Here are some particular things I enjoyed in no particular order. Oh, and there is no map, no guide to the layout of the General Staff Building of any kind. So good luck with that. I treated it like a maze.
Okay, this just cracked me up.
I’m enthralled when the clothing in a portrait is on display nearby.
The actual uniform he wwore – note how the sash, on the diagonal here, is wrapped and tied in the portrait.
This corset has a design of Russian and French flags, crossed. Lady played for both teams.
Perhaps it belonged this cheerful courtesan.
And while we’re on the subject of intimate wear, I loved this delicate batiste nightie and bold wrap. I want a shawl just like this. Though I will probably never give up sleeping in Robert’s teeshirts.
Here’s one of those semi-completed paintings I so enjoy, this time by Degas.
The renovation of the interior of this structure was only completed a few years ago. It still has that new car smell. I love the light, the space, the room, and the lack of crowds.
The views weren’t shabby either. This is looking back toward the Hermitage.
Saw another Love Actually moment, this time a young woman and her mother.
These examples are just a glimpse of all the things I found to appreciate and admire. I am so glad I didn’t let my prejudices deter me. I still have two floors to go. After I called it a day, so saturated in art I could absorb no more, I did some light shopping.
Walking around I passed this street scene. This is for all y’all who imagine Russian as bleak and the citizens as grim.
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