Opening of the Augustus Hall after Restoration and the New Exhibition of Roman Art of the 1st Century BC - 1st Century AD

It has become traditional to open ancient art exhibitions on the Hermitage Days. This work is part of the program of restoration of the permanent ancient world exhibitions supported by the Hermitage Friends' Club.
On 7 December, 2001, the Augustus Hall with a new exhibition was opened to the public. The exhibition is dedicated to one of the most brilliant periods in the history of Roman art, the epoch of the late Republic and early Empire (1st century BC - 1st century AD). Augustus' Golden Age, the time of efflorescence of monumental and applied arts, is most amply represented. At the exhibition center is Roman portrait sculpture. This collection is one of the largest, second to no other portrait collection of any leading European museum. Among the early portraits special attention should be paid to the bronze bust of an unknown Roman and a rare specimen of sepulchral sculpture, the stele with portraits of two brothers. At the center of the exhibition is the official art of the Augustan epoch. The Augustus Hall introduces a gallery of images of princes who embody the ideas of everlasting grandeur, might and immortality of Rome. These are sculptured portraits of Octavian Augustus, members of his family and other emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Tiberius and Nero.
The exhibition shows for the first time Roman portrait gems. Especially interesting are portraits of the legendary figures, Caius Julius Caesar and Marcus Junius Brutus. Stern faces of Romans of the Republican period contrast with images of deified princes which were created till the last days of the ancient world. These are portraits of Nero as Helios or Jupiter and Constantine the Great as Mercury.
Portrait relieves on coins as valuable documents of Roman iconography are very interesting for the historian. They were minted at various centers of the Roman Empire exactly reproducing standard types.
The exhibition's last section tells about Roman applied arts. Special showcase is reserved for artifacts from glass. The State Hermitage Museum's collection gives an idea of the variety of technologies and inimitable grace of forms and silhouettes.
Two vases from half-transparent Oriental alabaster which once contained ashes of the deceased are displayed for the first time. The exhibition of Augustan classicism forms a single ensemble with the excellent neoclassical interior of the New Hermitage Gallery. The initial ceiling color, artificial marble on walls and natural marble floors have been restored. Modern lighting and safety equipment has been installed in the Hall.
All works to restore the Augustus Hall and renew its exhibition were performed due to the generous support of Mrs. Jane Wrightsman, one of the Hermitage sponsors and member of the International Hermitage Friends' Club.

Mikhail B. Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage

The Augustus Hall
Larger view

First visitors