A while back we viewed
the exterior of the museum of Mukhinskoe Secondary School (previously
known as "Baron A.A. Stiglitz's Central School of Technical Drawing" ).
We now take a closer look at the museum from the inside, especially taking
into account that its interior is comparable in its magnificence to that
of many palaces.
The central exhibition hall is the
biggest in the museum and has a glass
dome serving as a roof.
The names of renowned architects and artists
are visible between the arches.
The front staircase.
Originally the
statue of Stiglitz occupied a place at the top of the staircase and was
later replaced by one of Lenin.
A double-decker gallery encircles the exhibition hall.
According
to my sources the Pergamon frieze (covering the right wall) was absent
prior to Perestroika.
The museum's building was designed and built by Maximilian Mesmaher
in 1885-1895. He also designed the school's interior and also served
as director of the school.
"Production conference!" :)
The arch reminds me of the one on the
Academy of Central Command building, located on Palace Square.
Even though my images only cover a
fraction of the museum's exhibition halls, it still renders difficult to
correctly identify them. So, whilst waiting for your help in elucidating
the issue from me, here are a few general comments. :)
Each exhibition hall of the museum was
designed with the intention to reflect the style of the country whose
exhibits are (were) displayed in that particular hall.
Word has it that during the Soviet era
walls of certain halls were whitewashed, and after the collapse of
Soviet Union the whitewashing was removed.
From what I understand, only a limited
number of halls are allotted to the museum, the rest form part of the
School (some of the people seen in the halls are teachers and students).
Sad Lion.
The staircase of the main entrance.
A
statue of Lenin used to also be positioned here, as in the case with the
front staircase.
One can't help but wonder whether at least one statue of Mukhina whom
the school is named after, ever existed in the building?
A lantern of more modest appearance if
compared to others.
A marble plaque next to the staircase
reads:
"The school was reconstituted in February 1945 by USSR government
decree".
Entrance/Exit. There is a watch booth to the rear of where the
photo was taken from.
Strictly speaking this is not the museum entrance, but rather that
of the School. The museum entrance is to the left, closer to the
center of the building where numerous exhibitions are held.
