The exhibition in the Nicholas Hall presents paintings by a classic name in American abstract expressionism, Dutch-born Willem de Kooning (1904-1997). The exhibition coincides with this year's homage to Rembrandt on the 400th anniversary of his birth. The exhibition features more than 20 works dating from the period 1981-1988, including a triptych from 1985 which de Kooning painted for St Peter's Church in New York. These late canvases by the celebrated American artist were done in his studio on Long Island, USA and many are presently held in private collections in Switzerland and in the USA.

The exhibition in the Blue Bedroom features works made of rock crystal and various closely related forms of quartz: smoked quartz and amethyst. The exhibition brings together for the first time very important works which were kept in various departments of the museum. The wide time span covered, which ranges from the 5th century B.C. to the start of the 20th century, makes it possible to demonstrate in a convincing manner the merits of gem-cutters of different schools, countries and ages as well as to compare the unique methods and artistic manner of working this amazingly beautiful and warm "icy" stone.

17 July - beginning of December 2006
Benois Wing

The State Russian Museum presents the major "Pavel Filonov. Witness of the Unseen" exhibition. It is the first since 1988 and the largest personal exhibition of one of the "Titans" of Russian avant-garde. Pavel Filonov dedicated his life to the creation of his own original painterly method. He's recognized and acknowledged by art historians but his oeuvre isn't widely known among the public - that's the result of strict Soviet censorship.

Times of Change. Art of the 1960-85s in the Soviet Union
Benois Wing

The large collection of the art of the 20th century stored in the Russian Museum helps to "reconstruct" the atmosphere of the artistic life of the 1960-80s within the frame of the Times of Change exhibition. On the one hand - the official art, in which the artists of the "harsh style" and representative of the generation of the 1970s rank first - Korzhev, Andronov, Nikonov, Moiseyenko, Zagonek and others. On the other hand - the art of club and apartment exhibitions of the "underground" represented in works by Arefiev, Weisberg, Rabine, Yankilevsky, Tselkov and others.

23 August - end of October 2006 Stroganov Palace
The State Russian Museum for the first time presents the one-man show of the artist Rudolf Frentz (1888-1956). Nearly 80 works - painting, graphic and decorative and applied art from the Museum collection.

The exhibition reflects the early period of the artist's oeuvre, the 1920s. Frentz, famous primarily as a battle and panoramic painting master, for the whole life had been interested in the themes of battles and victories of the Russian and Soviet armies in the wars of the 20th century. He created panoramas and dioramas Storm of the Winter Palace, Defense of Petrograd, Battle of Stalingrad.