Employees of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg have begun a careful, scientifically grounded restoration of the painting “The Last Day of Pompeii.” The work is being undertaken directly within the exhibition hall, allowing visitors to witness substantial conservation activity as it unfolds. The museum’s leadership announced this plan through TASS, citing the director general Alla Manilova as the source of the information.
According to experts, spectators will have the opportunity to observe the restoration of Karl Bryullov’s renowned canvas up close. This public-facing process aligns with the museum’s preparation for a major anniversary exhibition dedicated to the artist, scheduled to open at the end of 2024.
Manilova noted that the restoration aims to restore Bryullov’s masterpiece to a state that reflects scientific rigor accumulated over nearly two centuries. She stressed that visitors to the Russian Museum should not miss the chance to engage with this pinnacle work and with the author’s remarkable creative achievement.
To preserve the painting while it is being worked on, the museum has decided to keep the artwork in place and conduct the restoration behind a transparent barrier. The entire procedure will be conducted under glass, ensuring observers can safely view the conservation process without disturbing the artwork.
Olga Babina, the museum’s chief curator, highlighted the involvement of local specialists who have prior experience with exhibition-hall restorations. She recalled that a previous restoration of a work by Mikhail Nesterov in a similar setting was followed by the construction of a blank wall to protect the canvas—an arrangement that will now be avoided in favor of direct glass visibility.
Babina emphasized that viewers will be able to look inside as the restoration unfolds, providing a rare, intimate glimpse into the craft of art conservation and the meticulous care involved in preserving a national treasure for future generations.
During the conservation process, the painting will be carefully cleaned to remove subsequent layers and stabilize its base. Experts will also work to restore the frame to proper form, ensuring the work is presented as it deserves to be seen while long-term preservation is secured.
Earlier this year, St. Petersburg also completed the restoration of another landmark work, the “Victory Train,” underscoring the museum’s ongoing commitment to conserving its most significant holdings for audiences to experience firsthand.