Mikhail Piotrovsky, the General Director of the State Hermitage, emphasized the need for a renewed guarantee framework to ensure that valuable items can travel to international exhibitions while remaining safeguarded in transit. The discussion centers on creating robust, realistic return guarantees that cities and museums can rely on when works are loaned abroad. These assurances are essential to keep cultural exchanges alive, even as the global landscape for art travel continues to evolve.
Piotrovsky recalled a time when guarantees for exhibitions taken abroad were straightforward and effective. Yet the situation changed markedly in early 2022, leading officials to acknowledge that new and clearer protocols are required. He stressed that a different set of guarantees must be crafted for today’s environment—one that accounts for geopolitical shifts, travel restrictions, and the unpredictable nature of international loans. The Hermitage intends to refine its guarantee system so that it can confidently participate in overseas exhibitions without compromising the safety and integrity of its holdings.
The director outlined a strategy in which the Hermitage would pursue exhibitions in partner or friendly nations, provided that the export moratorium on museum items is lifted and that reliable return guarantees are in place. Plans include collaboration with institutions in Türkiye, Oman, the Gulf region, and China. This approach aims to sustain cultural dialogue, broaden international exposure for Russian collections, and maintain trust with lenders and host venues alike.
According to Piotrovsky, global conditions will largely determine how exhibitions are arranged. The museum seeks to offer offers of cooperation that are clear and feasible, ensuring that works can be shipped, displayed, and then safely returned. The emphasis remains on guaranteeing that the sharing of art across borders is balanced with rigorous protections for provenance and restoration needs. The Hermitage envisions careful, well-structured partnerships that align with international standards for loaned artifacts.
In the context of 2022, the Hermitage engaged in several foreign exhibitions across major European capitals and other cultural hubs. Despite sanctions pressures during that period, the museum successfully coordinated the return of hundreds of items in line with accepted return guarantees. At that time, the Russian Ministry of Culture also suspended temporary export licenses for museum objects, a move that underscored the fragility of international loans and the importance of transparent, enforceable guarantees. The leadership has since signaled an intention to reorganize and optimize exhibitions abroad, aiming for a smoother, more reliable exchange process in the future.
The Hermitage intends to conduct a comprehensive review of its loan policies, focusing on risk assessment, insurance coverage, provenance documentation, and reciprocal trust with international partners. This renewed emphasis on guarantees is part of a broader plan to maintain the museum’s global presence while navigating an ever-changing geopolitical and cultural landscape. By strengthening the mechanics of returns and building resilient partnerships, the Hermitage hopes to keep its works accessible to audiences around the world while protecting the scholarly and cultural value of its collection.
Earlier statements highlighted the importance of youth and education in the museum’s outreach. The institution envisions opportunities where young audiences can engage with art through studio programs and collaborative exhibitions, reinforcing the role of cultural institutions as centers of learning and dialogue rather than merely venues for display. The conversation about guarantees thus intertwines with a broader mission to promote accessible, meaningful experiences for diverse audiences and to ensure that international collaborations can thrive in a responsible and sustainable manner.