The Hermitage Amsterdam

Because Peter the Great visited the Netherlands in the 17th century the Hermitage Amsterdam is partner of the Hermitage St. Petersburg. He came to Amsterdam incognito since he was easy to spot with his 6 ft 8 (203 cm).

The group around Dr Egbertsz painted by Pickenoy shows one of Peter’s many interests, surgery and medical care. Next to shipbuilding and engineering he was engaged with many skilled workers. He worked with builders of locks, fortresses, shipwrights, and seamen.

Peter led a cultural revolution at home that replaced some of the traditionalist social and political systems with ones that were modern, scientific and Westernised. His reforms based on the Enlightenment had a lasting impact on Russia.

Saint Petersburg was built after Amsterdam’s example.