The museum of the great Russian artist Ilya Repin is located on the bank of the Gulf of Finland at the 45 kilometer distance from St. Petersburg.
It is here, in his native Penates, where the renowned Russian artist with his family lived for the last 30 years of his life. Maxim Gorky and Fedor Shalyapin, Dmitry Mendeleyev and Ivan Kuprin, Vladimir Mayakovsky and Sergey Yesenin, Korney Chukovsky and many other famous people enjoyed visiting him in this beautiful estate in the nature's lap.
The mansion designed by Ilya Repin himself is a comfortable elegant two-storeyed building with large windows, a cozy verandah and glass light apertures on the ceiling, which enabled the artist to paint under the most natural lighting possible.
The house interior, decor elements, household items display the taste and preferences of the well-known artist.
The memorial museum was opened back in 1940. Unfortunately, the estate was burned down during the Great Patriotic War. However, the artist's paraphernalia and other household items were brought to the Academy of Arts in 1941 and thus preserved. Now the memorial estate has been reopened and welcomes visitors. Cultural events are organized and research works are conducted here. Interesting excursions acquaint visitors with life and creativity of one of the greatest Russian artists.
Walks in the picturesque vicinities, such as a local pinewood and the coast of the Gulf of Finland add up to the fascination of the Penates.
From September 15 to May 15 the museum is open for visitors till 4 pm.
Author: Vera Ivanova