The State Museum of Oriental Art is one of the most significant museums in Moscow that is dedicated to the art and culture of the East. The museum is located in the center of Moscow, near the famous Tretyakov Gallery, and boasts a unique collection of art from Asia and the Middle East. Visitors to the museum can explore an extensive range of exhibits, from ancient artifacts to modern art, that showcase the diverse and rich cultures of the East.
History
The State Museum of Oriental Art was founded in 1918, just a year after the Bolshevik Revolution, as the Museum of the Peoples of the East. Its original mission was to gather and display artifacts from the cultures and countries that were part of the Soviet Union, but it has since expanded to include collections from all over the world. The museum’s collections grew rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s, when many Soviet scholars and artists traveled to Asia and the Middle East to collect artifacts and study the local cultures.
The museum was closed during World War II, and many of its treasures were evacuated to the city of Kazan to protect them from the German invasion. After the war, the museum reopened, and its collections continued to grow. Today, the State Museum of Oriental Art is one of the most important institutions of its kind in Russia, and its collections are world-renowned.
Collections
The State Museum of Oriental Art boasts an extensive collection of art and artifacts from the East, including China, Japan, Korea, India, Iran, and Central Asia. The museum’s collections include over 130,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics, metalwork, and calligraphy.
One of the highlights of the museum’s collection is its Chinese art. The museum’s Chinese collection includes over 30,000 objects, dating from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Visitors can explore a range of exhibits, from ancient bronze vessels and pottery to Ming and Qing dynasty paintings and calligraphy.
The museum’s collection of Japanese art is also extensive, with over 20,000 objects that cover the history of Japanese art from the Jomon period to the present day. Visitors can explore exhibits of Japanese ceramics, textiles, paintings, and prints, as well as samurai armor and weapons.
In addition to its collections of Chinese and Japanese art, the museum also has a significant collection of Korean art, including ceramics, textiles, and paintings. The museum’s Korean collection includes objects dating from the Three Kingdoms period to the 20th century.
The State Museum of Oriental Art also has a collection of Iranian and Central Asian art, including objects from ancient Persia, the Islamic period, and the Timurid dynasty. Visitors can explore exhibits of carpets, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork from Iran and Central Asia.
Exhibitions
The State Museum of Oriental Art hosts a range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, which showcase different aspects of the museum’s collections. Recent exhibitions have included “The Art of Japanese Calligraphy,” “The Silk Road: The Path of Dialogue,” and “The Splendor of the Chinese Bronze Age.”
The museum also hosts educational programs, lectures, and workshops, which are designed to help visitors learn more about the art and culture of the East. These programs are suitable for visitors of all ages and interests.
Location and Hours
The State Museum of Oriental Art is located at Nikitsky Boulevard, 12A, in the center of Moscow. The museum is open from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed on Mondays. Visitors can purchase tickets at the museum’s ticket office or online in advance.
