On 10 January 2021, the exhibition “Pierre Auguste Renoir: Young Girls at the Piano” completed its run at the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts, where the great Impressionist’s painting had been on display since 9 October 2020.
During its run, the exhibition was visited by more than 3,500 people, including 575 children under the age of 16. The staff of the Kaluga museum were able to operate a packed cultural and education programme despite the conditions of the pandemic. This included themed guided tours, lectures by members of staff from the Hermitage and the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts, screenings of educational films and interactive lessons for children. Particular interest among the people of Kaluga was aroused by a lecture given by Olga Leontyeva, a researcher in the Hermitage’s Department of Western European Fine Art. and by a lecture-concert entitled “Impressionism in Music and Painting” held on the premises of the Kaluga museum. At all the events, people observed public health restrictions to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
An important element of the work of public education associated with the exhibition was the publication of illustrated guides: From Impression to Art for children and Pierre Auguste Renoir: Young Girls at the Piano for adults. In the four months that the painting from the Hermitage was on display, the staff of the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts gave 40 guided tours and lessons that were attended by almost 600 persons.
