On 1 March 2008, Saturday, in the halls at the Saltykov entrance, American painter Chuck Close, whose exhibition Seven Portraits opened a day earlier at the State Hermitage Museum, met with St. Petersburg students.

The space in front of the exhibition halls where the painter spoke was overcrowded with Saint Petersburg youth. The students had a unique chance to learn firsthand about the works of the renowned classic of hyperrealism, and to ask him questions about his life and original paintings.

As he spoke, Chuck Close showed slides illustrating the steps involved in the creation of his works, lifting the veil of mystery from the creative process. The audience, in turn, showed interest in the artist’s painting style, the milestones in his creative life, his attitude toward old masters, and his views on contemporary art. The artist answered numerous questions in a fascinating and sincere manner, giving the meeting a warm and familiar feeling.

An ongoing educational program will continue after the exhibition, prepared for the Chuck Close: Seven Portraits exhibit by the Hermitage Youth Centre and Dmitry Ozerkov, Hermitage 20/21 project manager.

The lectures, titled Chuck Close and American Hyperrealism, will be held every Saturday from 8 March to 12 April at 3 p.m. in the halls at the Saltykov entrance, where the artist’s works are exhibited.

Meeting at the Exhibition

Meeting Chuck Close

Chuck Close

Conversation Continued at the Exhibition

Questions After the Meeting

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