5 Masterpieces from the Hermitage

The State Hermitage Museum / Государственный Эрмитаж has been open to the public since 1852.

It was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired a collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

The museum celebrates the anniversary of its founding each year on 7 December, Saint Catherine's Day.

Antonio Canova | Hebe, 1800-1805

Hebe is one of the most famous works of Antonio Canova (1757-1822), an outstanding Neoclassical sculptor of the late 18th - early 19th century.

According to ancient myth, Hebe was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and was the embodiment of youth.

As serving-maid to the gods on Mount Olympus, she was responsible for bringing round cups of nectar, the drink of eternal youth and immortality, during feasts.

Canova depicted the goddess flitting swiftly and easily across the clouds, hardly touching them with the toes of her bare feet. | © Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) | Hebe, 1800-1805 | Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Sir Anthony Van Dyck | Baroque painter

Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) was the most important Flemish painter of the 17th century after Rubens, whose works influenced the young Van Dyck.

He also studied and was profoundly influenced by the work of Italian artists, above all, Titian.

Anthony van Dyck studied under Peter Paul Rubens and was one of his most accomplished students.

Pieter Bruegel il Vecchio | Il viaggio in Italia

Pieter Bruegel o Brueghel (1525/1530-1569) fu tra gli artisti più significativi della pittura rinascimentale Olandese e Fiamminga, pittore ed incisore, noto per i suoi paesaggi e scene contadine (la cosiddetta pittura di genere); fu un pioniere nel presentare entrambi i tipi di soggetti come dipinti di grandi dimensioni.

È generalmente indicato come il Vecchio per distinguerlo dal figlio primogenito, Pieter Bruegel il Giovane.

Anche il secondogenito Jan Brueghel il Vecchio, seguì le orme paterne e così pure il nipote Jan Brueghel il Giovane.

Pieter Bruegel il Vecchio | Naval Battle in the Gulf of Naples, 1560

Pieter Pourbus | Renaissance painter

Pieter Jansz. Pourbus (1523-1584) was a Flemish Renaissance painter, draftsman, engineer and cartographer who was active in Bruges during the 16th century.

He is known primarily for his religious and portrait paintings.

Pourbus was the leading figure of his generation in Bruges, often pioneering techniques.

Stylistically speaking, he is part of the generation of Frans Floris.

Emily Dickinson: The Poets light but Lamps / Accendere una lampada e sparire..

The Poets light but Lamps

- Themselves - go out -

The Wicks they stimulate

If vital Light

Peter Paul Rubens | Saint Simon, 1610-1612 (detail) | Museo Nacional del Prado

Hans Laagland, 1965 | Neo Baroque style

Hans Laagland was born in Koersel (Belgium) to Ludo Laagland, a professional painter.

His father trained Hans throughout his childhood.

At the age of ten, Hans completed his first oil painting and two years later held his first solo exhibition.

As he continued to develop his skills, he became enthralled with the works and techniques of Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), and at fifteen he set out to study those masterful techniques.

Cornelis de Heem | Baroque painter

Cornelis de Heem (8 April 1631 (baptized) - 17 May 1695 (buried) was a still-life painter associated with both Flemish Baroque and Dutch Golden Age painting.

He was a member of a large family of still-life specialists, of which his father, Jan Davidszoon de Heem (1606–1684), was the most significant.

Cornelis was baptised in Leiden on 8 April 1631, and moved with his family to Antwerp in 1636.

Matthias Stom | Baroque painter

Matthias Stom or Matthias Stomer (1600-1652) was a Dutch, or possibly Flemish, painter who is only known for the works he produced during his residence in Italy.

He was influenced by the work of non-Italian followers of Caravaggio in Italy, in particular his Dutch followers often referred to as the Utrecht Caravaggists, as well as by Jusepe de Ribera and Peter Paul Rubens.