A major exhibition tracing Moscow’s image through centuries of Russian art has opened at VDNH, the capital’s vast museum and exhibition complex.
Titled The Image of Moscow in Russian Art from the Collection of the State Russian Museum, the project brings 115 works—including 104 paintings and 11 sculptures—from St. Petersburg’s State Russian Museum to Pavilion No. 1 “Central.” For many pieces, it is the first time they have been shown in Moscow.
Occupying 9,400 square metres, the exhibition is billed as the season’s must-see cultural event. It offers a sweeping panorama of Moscow’s history, from sacred medieval icons and pre-1812 Fire cityscapes to the modern metropolis.
Masterworks and rare cycles
The exhibition features renowned artists such as Apollinary Vasnetsov, Vasily Surikov, Ilya Repin, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Nesterov, Vasily Vereshchagin, and Isaac Brodsky. A highlight is a rare cycle by Gerard Delabart, capturing Moscow before the Fire of 1812.
The centrepiece is Ilya Repin’s monumental canvas The Ceremonial Meeting of the State Council on 7 May 1901. The work is described as a visual manifesto of its era, symbolising Moscow’s identity and the continuity of state traditions.
Four chapters of Moscow
Curated in four thematic chapters—Old Moscow, New Moscow, Moscow as Capital, and Muscovites—the show guides visitors from icons and early panoramas to the 20th-century city and portraits of distinguished residents, including cultural, theatrical, and scientific figures.
Texts and labels are presented in multiple languages to welcome international visitors.
A cultural draw for global tourists
Bulat Nurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, said VDNH is becoming increasingly popular with Middle Eastern travellers. “The site combines world-class culture with easy mobility and comfort—think golf carts, e-scooters, and a walkable, family-friendly layout—making it effortless to add a major museum experience to any itinerary,” he said.
The exhibition runs until 1 February 2026, with opening hours Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 21:00 (last entry at 20:00). Public admission began on 6 September.
VDNH’s cultural hub
Today, VDNH is Russia’s largest museum and exhibition site, uniting more than 30 cultural venues and attracting around 30 million visitors annually. It is consistently ranked among the top three attractions in Moscow for international tourists.
By positioning Moscow’s image at the centre of Russia’s artistic canon, the exhibition not only celebrates the capital’s past but also reaffirms its cultural significance in the present.
