Ukhtomsky, Konstantin Andreevich. Types of rooms of the New Hermitage. Hall prints Hermitage ~ part 12

The artwork presents a grand interior space, likely intended as a public display area within a monumental building. The perspective is centered and receding, emphasizing the depth and scale of the room. Here we see a series of colossal columns, banded with contrasting colors – a dark brown base transitioning to a lighter green upper section – that dominate the visual field. These pillars are arranged in pairs, creating a rhythmic cadence that guides the eye towards the far end of the hall.
The walls themselves appear clad in panels of similar green marble, punctuated by smaller display cabinets built into the recesses between the columns. Each cabinet holds framed artworks, suggesting a gallery or museum setting. The floor is patterned with geometric designs in muted tones, adding another layer of visual complexity to the composition.
Above, an elaborate vaulted ceiling commands attention. It’s decorated with intricate ornamentation – floral motifs and scrolling patterns rendered in pale yellows, blues, and creams – creating a sense of opulence and grandeur. A large arched niche is visible at the far end of the hall, containing what appears to be a sculptural grouping on a raised plinth. A single figure, dressed in formal attire, stands near this display, seemingly observing the artwork.
The lighting within the space is carefully orchestrated; it seems diffused and even, illuminating the architectural details without creating harsh shadows. This contributes to an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence, appropriate for a place dedicated to art and culture. The overall effect is one of controlled magnificence – a deliberate presentation of wealth, power, and refined taste.
Subtly, the work conveys a sense of order and hierarchy. The arrangement of columns, the symmetry of the design, and the carefully curated displays all reinforce an idea of established authority and cultural prestige. The solitary figure in the foreground serves as a visual anchor for the viewer, inviting them to contemplate the space and its contents. It also subtly suggests the role of the observer within this environment of high culture – a participant in a ritualized encounter with art.