The State Hermitage exhibits two paintings by Rubens from the collection of Russian entrepreneur Vladimir Logvinenko

In February 2004 the State Hermitage concluded an Agreement on the long term loan of ‘The Union of Earth and Water (Antwerp and the Scheldt)’ and ‘The Adoration of the Shepherds’, paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, for exhibition on the walls of the museum. Both paintings come from the collection of Russian entrepreneur Vladimir Logvinenko.

The Hermitage collection already has works by Rubens dealing with the same subjects, so that the side by side showing of paintings from the Hermitage and from a private collection is a scholarly event providing new possibilities for studying the creative work of the great painter. At the Hermitage the Rubens paintings from the collection of Vladimir Logvinenko will go through a full cycle of technical evaluation, art- historical appraisal and restoration before being put on display in the Rubens Room.

A second Agreement foresees the exhibition in the Hermitage of one further painting by Rubens, ‘Tarquinius and Lucretius’. Vladimir Logvinenko’s ownership rights to this work are challenged by German state authorities. Nonetheless, the State Hermitage considers that even paintings under dispute should be shown to the public, since the public display of works of art is the main task of any museum.