The exhibition features over 130 unique works by 63 painters, sculptors, engravers and architects from the museum's collection. Among them are famous and little known Russian and foreign artists.
The Russian Museum's collection of drawings and water-colors comprises over 100,000 exhibits, with 3,000 dating back to the 18th century. Each of them is a precious rarity because at that time few people collected drawings.
In the 18th century Russian artists turned to the European technique of three-dimensional drawing.
The earliest exhibit, a decorative framing of a panegyric to Peter the Great created in 1712 by Ivan Zubov, a prominent Russian engraver of the early 18th century.
The exhibition shows works by first Russian graphic artist Mikhail Makayev dating back to the 1750s, as well as portraits of Catherine the Great by Fedot Shubin and Dmitry Levitsky.
"A Model" by Anton Losenko reflecting the rapid success of the young academic school is of special interest. This is the first nu image in the Russian art.
Architectural drawings presented at the exhibition were created by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Giacomo Quarenghi, Matvei Kazakov, Andrei Voronikhin, etc.
The exhibition features the evolution of Russian water-color painting.
It will be running until April 24.
