Mikhail Piotrovsky, the General Director of the State Hermitage, suggested that access to world-class masterpieces like the Mona Lisa should be restricted. In an interview with RBC, he outlined a model in which such iconic works would be visible to visitors only in organized groups.
According to Piotrovsky, group viewing would set a clear pace for the public experience. He proposed that over time, the practice could evolve toward limited access, akin to how Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper in Milan is presented. He implied that the reach of other renowned artworks, including Alexander Nevsky’s canvas, should be similarly controlled. In his view, the Mona Lisa should follow a comparable pattern of limited exposure.
Piotrovsky also noted that attendance at the Hermitage had rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. He attributed this rise to a shift in travel priorities, with visitors opting for museum experiences over international tourism to remote destinations such as the Maldives, a trend driven by well-known circumstances shaping travel choices.
Earlier, Piotrovsky discussed the conditions that would guide the resumption of foreign exhibitions at the Hermitage, framing a framework for international lending and presenting arrangements amid evolving circumstances.
Previously, Gleb Matveychuk commented on why it can be beneficial for young children to participate in theater studios, highlighting the broader cultural and educational value of immersive arts experiences.