An Imperial Eye to the Past: Byzantine exhibitions in the State Hermitage museum, 1861-2006

In this article is given an analysis on the history of Byzantine art exhibitions organized in the Imperial Hermitage and later in the State Hermitage Museum in the years 1861-2006. The history of collecting and display of Byzantine artworks is closely linked to the history of Russian society and the general trends of scientific research of the Byzantium. The articles argues the idea that “museums opened only for the sake of art” or “art for art” is nothing but a romantic and idealist dream. In reality, however, the social impact and the political objectives, along with ambitions of personalities, are enormous in developing and displaying art exhibitions. The article analyzes various chronological periods of the Hermitage exhibition functioning.