Taras Shevchenko Museum in the Academy of Arts

Taras Shevchenko's memorial apartment-studio is the only one in the St. Petersburg exposition that introduces life and work of the prominent Ukrainian poet and artist, where he lived and died in 1861.

Taras Shevchenko's memorial apartment-studio was open for visitors in 1964 to comemorate the 150th anniversary of the poet's birth. A set-up of the apartment and the studio includes original furniture, household items and personal things of the poet, his original engravings, copies and reproductions of his paintings, and rare editions of his poetry books, as well as books about his life and work. The exposition was recreated according to the reminiscences of Shevchenko's contemporaries, N. Leskov, I. Turgenev, and I. Mikeshyn. Exposition of the Museum is concentrated on Shevchenko- the artist. One can see the early art works of Taras Shevchenko, which were accomplished before enrolling at St. Petersburg Academy of Art. Among them are watercolour portraits and sketches for historical compositions painted on the instructions of the Drawing School of the Society of Encouragement of Arts. Taras Shevchenko completed a preparatory course of that school and got recommendation papers to enter the best art institution of that time - Royal Academy of Arts. On display are copies of a "Self-Portrait" (1840), "Katerina" (1842), graphic art works from his series "Picturesques Ukraine" (1844), that were done while studying in St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Visitors also can see the art works of his exile period : "Kazakh boy playing with the cat", "Novopetrovsk Fortress from Khivian Road", and others. The late period of Shevchenko-the artist, is introduced by portraits of P. Klodt, F. Tolstoy, F. Bruni, and art compositions "Parable about vine-grower" and "Virsavia". All displayed works of that period are engravings.
Copies of archival documents, such as Shevchenko's birth records, a document about releasing him from serfdom and his academic certificate are also on display.

Museum open by appointment only, tel. 323-35-78.