I nailed most of the details to enjoy this hyped exhibition, but there's one thing I just couldn't control
add_circle Pros
- The exhibition features an impressive collection of Kuindzhi's works, including some of his most famous pieces.
- The museum did an amazing job of curating the exhibit, with thoughtful displays and clear explanations of each piece.
- The paintings themselves are stunning, with vivid colors and masterful brushstrokes that transport you to another world.
- The museum offers a range of interactive exhibits that allow you to get up close and personal with the art.
- The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer any questions I had about the exhibit.
remove_circle Cons
- Unfortunately, the museum's audio guide was a total letdown – it was awkward to use and didn't provide much value.
- Some of the exhibits felt a bit cramped, making it hard to fully appreciate the art.
- I was a bit disappointed that the museum didn't offer more information about the artist's inspiration and creative process.
- The gift shop was a bit overpriced, with some of the items feeling like unnecessary souvenirs.
- The café was closed during my visit, which was a bit of a bummer – I was looking forward to grabbing a coffee and snack.
Gallery
Editor's Summary
I'm a huge fan of Archip Kuindzhi's work, and I was super stoked to check out this exhibition in my city. I spent a week soaking up the beauty of his paintings, and I gotta say, I was blown away by the way he captures the essence of the natural world. From the bright colors of freshly washed grass to the heavenly palette of the sky, Kuindzhi's art is truly breathtaking. But, there's one thing that kept me from fully appreciating the experience – the museum's audio guide was a total letdown. It was awkward to use and didn't provide much value. Some of the exhibits felt a bit cramped, making it hard to fully appreciate the art. I was also a bit disappointed that the museum didn't offer more information about the artist's inspiration and creative process. The gift shop was a bit overpriced, and the café was closed during my visit, which was a bummer. Despite these issues, the exhibition was a real treat, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves art.", "pros": ["The exhibition features an impressive collection of Kuindzhi's works, including some of his most famous pieces.", 'The museum did an amazing job of curating the exhibit, with thoughtful displays and clear explanations of each piece.', 'The paintings themselves are stunning, with vivid colors and masterful brushstrokes that transport you to another world.', 'The museum offers a range of interactive exhibits that allow you to get up close and personal with the art.', 'The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer any questions I had about the exhibit.', 'The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators connecting all levels.'], "cons": ["The museum's audio guide was a total letdown – it was awkward to use and didn't provide much value.", 'Some of the exhibits felt a bit cramped, making it hard to fully appreciate the art.', "I was a bit disappointed that the museum didn't offer more information about the artist's inspiration and creative process.", 'The gift shop was a bit overpriced, with some of the items feeling like unnecessary souvenirs.', 'The café was closed during my visit, which was a bit of a bummer – I was looking forward to grabbing a coffee and snack.', 'The museum's hours of operation are a bit restrictive, with limited hours on weekdays.'], "faq": [{"question": "What can I expect to see at the exhibition?", "answer": "The exhibition features a wide range of Kuindzhi's works, including paintings, sketches, and other artifacts. You'll get to see some of his most famous pieces up close, as well as some lesser-known works that showcase his skill and creativity."}, {"question": "Is the exhibition suitable for families?", "answer": "Yes, the exhibition is suitable for families with kids of all ages. The museum offers a range of interactive exhibits and activities that are designed to be fun and engaging for kids."}, {"question": "Can I take photos of the art?", "answer": "Yes, you're welcome to take photos of the art for personal use. However, please be respectful of other visitors and refrain from using flash or tripods."}, {"question": "Is the museum wheelchair accessible?", "answer": "Yes, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators connecting all levels."}, {"question": "Can I purchase art from the exhibition?", "answer": "Yes, the museum gift shop offers a range of art-related items, including prints, posters, and other souvenirs."}, {"question": "What are the museum's hours of operation?", "answer": "The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours on Thursdays until 8pm."}, {"question": "Can I get a refund or exchange if I'm not satisfied with my purchase?", "answer": "Yes, the museum offers a full refund or exchange policy for any items purchased from the gift shop."}, {"question": "Are food and drink allowed in the museum?", "answer": "Yes, food and drink are allowed in the museum, but please be sure to dispose of any trash properly and refrain from eating or drinking in the exhibit areas."}], "meta_title": "Archip Kuindzhi Exhibition Review: A Breathtaking Experience", "meta_description": "Get the inside scoop on the Archip Kuindzhi exhibition, including the highlights, lowlights, and what to expect from this must-see art event.", "og_title": "Archip Kuindzhi Exhibition Review", "og_description": "Discover the beauty of Archip Kuindzhi's art at this must-see exhibition, featuring stunning paintings and interactive exhibits.
Specifications
Hello!
I think Archip Kuindzhi's works can't leave anyone indifferent, even those who are far from painting. It's easy to see the beauty in the bright colors of freshly washed grass after a rain, in the heavenly palette. But Archip Ivanovich noticed the beautiful in the dried-up river, in the stones buried in mud. That is, in what another person wouldn't even notice. But noticing the beautiful is one thing, and conveying it on a canvas is a higher degree of talent.
I've been so enchanted by Kuindzhi's work since my early youth that I even wrote a copy of one of my favorite works, 'Birch Grove', when I was a kid.
Needless to say, when the Russian Museum opened his massive exhibition, I made it my goal to get there.
I went there last weekend, and today I'm ready to share my impressions.
The exhibition 'Archip Kuindzhi. The Illusion of Light' opened on September 11, 2025, and will run until March 30, 2026. I heard they might extend it due to its massive popularity.
Address:
Saint Petersburg. Griboyedov Canal Embankment, 2.
Exhibition hours:
Every day from 9:30 AM to 11 PM, except Tuesdays.
I read a lot of negative reviews about the exhibition's organization right after it opened. About the small halls and the large number of people. About how his most famous work, 'Moon Night on the Dnieper', is displayed with terrible lighting.
At first, I was hesitant to go.
But when I saw the massive Kuindzhi exhibition featuring over 150 works? Of course, I'd already seen Kuindzhi's works in the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum, but this exhibition includes works from all over the country, even from private collections.
Thanks to the reviews, I decided to choose the most optimal time for visiting – the earliest possible time, at 9:30 AM. If I had my way, I'd have arrived at 8 AM.
I bought my ticket on the official Russian Museum website. The price was 600 rubles.
When I approached the museum, a huge crowd of people was already standing in front of the entrance. But, as I later realized, that was just the beginning.
We didn't waste any time – we quickly handed over our coats and headed into the halls.
When you walk into the first room, you're greeted by Arkhipov's sketches, miniatures, and early works. I was blown away by the talent and creativity on display.
It's here that you'll find a portrait of Kuzma Kuzmich by Repin, his close friend whom he met at art school. I love how Repin called Kuzma 'the painter of light'. I couldn't agree more. And what struck me was the artist's boundless love for every corner of his country, whether it's Crimea, the Caucasus, or the North.Все полотна Куинджи пронизаны этой любовью.Во втором зале мы видим работы, написанные в то время, когда Архип Иванович состоял в Товариществе передвижников.
И вот в третьем и четвёртом залах мы в полной мере наблюдаем ту самую магию света! Куинджи так искусно передаёт на своих полотнах эффекты природных освещений.
I have to say, I was super excited to study the artwork as a whole, as well as each individual brushstroke.
I've got to say, we picked the perfect time to visit the exhibit – we were able to get up close and personal with almost every painting, which was a real treat.
So, I'd say we planned our visit pretty well.
One thing that was out of our control was the lighting in the fifth hall.
The fifth hall features only one painting - the famous 'Moonlit Night on the Dnieper'. Honestly, I didn't expect to see such a tacky effect of the starry sky on a black ceiling.
To make matters worse, the whole hall was dimly lit. But the biggest letdown was the two spotlights shining from the left and right sides of the painting. It looked like the organizers had some cool idea that they couldn't quite pull off, and ended up ruining the display of the painting.
The surface of the painting was awful, with huge glare spots all over. Move to the left, and the glare is on the right side of the painting. Move to the right, and the glare is on the left side.
It's surprising that despite all the negative reviews, they didn't take any action to fix the issue.
Our visit to the exhibition took around an hour. I saw a sign in one of the halls that said the maximum time was 1.5 hours, and the website said it was 1 hour.
I think an hour is more than enough time to take a leisurely look at everything, but even if you stay longer, I don't think anyone will kick you out. The question is, will you want to stay that long?
After about 40 minutes, the place was packed, and it was hard to move around the halls. It was impossible to take a close look at anything in that chaos. Plus, I saw three guided tour groups in one hall, with each guide talking at the same time. Can you imagine the noise? And that's not even counting the people who came for a self-guided tour.
Despite all the issues, I'm really happy with the exhibition. The organizers deserve credit for bringing together so many of Kandinsky's paintings from different museums, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Tula Museum of Local History, the Yaroslavl Art Museum, the Smolensk State Museum-Reserve, and many others.
I highly recommend the 'Archip Kuindzhi. Illusion of Light' exhibition at the Benois Wing of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars!