On 25 March 2006 Director of the State Hermitage Mikhail Piotrovsky met with representatives of the mass media in the museum.

Two paintings by the 15th century Italian painter from Mantua Andrea Mantegna will be shown in the Hermitage in July 2006 within the context of activities which the museum is preparing to honor the visit of the G-8 to Petersburg. In the autumn of 2006, the museum will open a large exhibition of this great artist. On 25 March 2006, agreement on this matter was reached with an Italian delegation including learned art historians from the University of Bologna, writers and representatives of the Italian Consulate in Russia's Northern Capital.

"Mantegna is one of those great artists who is not represented in the Hermitage. His absence in the Hermitage, and in Russia generally, and the consequent unfamiliarity of artgoers with Mantegna constitute a great lacuna which we can now repair," Dr Piotrovsky said at the meeting.

The decision on which paintings by the famous Italian painter will be shown to Petersburg lovers of Italian art has not yet been taken. According to Dr. Piotrovsky, the Hermitage will, in turn, present two paintings by students of Mantegna or artists of his period from the museum's collection for exhibition in Mantua.

The Director of the Hermitage also noted that during the time of the G-8 meeting in Petersburg, the museum will put on several exhibitions of Italian art, including A Journey through the Mediterranean. "Moreover, in May there will be the opening of an exhibition devoted to the art of England, and later on there will be exhibitions on Canada, the USA and Holland," Dr. Piotrovsky added.

Based on reports from news agencies.

Director of the State Hermitage M.B. Piotrovsky during the meeting

Marlo Lucco, Curator of the exhibition

Participants of the meeting at the State Hermitage's Conference room