The Hermitage Amsterdam, a museum of Russian art in the Netherlands, has decided to “cut ties” with Russia’s State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, due to the country’s “recent attack on Ukraine”.
In a statement, the institution said it has “distanced itself from political developments in Putin’s Russia” for many years. “After all, politics focuses on the reality of daily life, while our focus is on art treasures and movements that span centuries.”
“The ties we had carefully built with the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg gave us access to one of the world’s most famous art collections, which we could draw from for our exhibitions,” it added.
“Russia’s recent attack on Ukraine makes keeping this distance no longer tenable. Our board and directors have decided to cut ties with the State Hermitage Museum.”
Russia’s State Hermitage is the second largest art museum in the world and dates back to 1764. It has been open to the public since 1852. Last year, the museum released a limited series of NFTs, selling digital copies of masterpieces from its collection.
“Like everyone else, we hope for peace”
“It is with difficulty that the supervisors, directors, management and employees of the Hermitage Amsterdam break ties with the Hermitage Saint Petersburg,” the museum said.
In recent years, the Hermitage Amsterdam’s “collaborations with Russian colleagues have been harmonious”, it added.
“Differences of opinion had always proved bridgeable. It led to beautiful, well-attended exhibitions in Amsterdam.”
“With the invasion of the Russian army in Ukraine, a border has been crossed. War destroys everything. Even 30 years of collaboration. The Hermitage Amsterdam has no other choice,” it said.
“Like everyone else, we hope for peace. Also for changes in the future of Russia that will allow us to restore ties with the Hermitage Saint Petersburg.”
The Hermitage Amsterdam’s ‘Russian Avant-Garde | Revolution in the Arts’ is closed until further notice.
Images: Hermitage Amsterdam
