The Premier Site for Russian Culture
Vasily Stasov designed the Pompeii Gallery in the Winter Palace in place of small rooms damaged by the fire (1837). Motifs from houses in Pompeii were employed in the interior decor. The murals were designed by Vasily Stasov and painted by Fyodor Wunderlich. The Pompeii Gallery was lit by Etruscan vases. The room was reconstructed by Alexei Gornostayev (1886). It now hosts a permanent exhibition of Russian art from the Hermitage collection.