The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is a major collection of European and ancient art at Ulitsa Volkhonka, 12, opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. In the main building, explore sculpture casts arranged by era and galleries devoted to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, alongside European paintings by artists including Botticelli, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. A separate gallery next door holds French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Renoir and Degas. Check which building and exhibitions your ticket covers before you go.
Two buildings, different collections
The museum is at Ulitsa Volkhonka, 12, opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Its collections are spread across separate buildings, so decide what you want to see before booking. The main building covers a broad range of art and includes sculpture casts arranged by historical period. The Gallery of 19th- and 20th-Century Art, next door, is the place to go for French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.
Tickets for the two buildings are separate. A ticket to the main building covers its general collection; the gallery needs its own ticket. Temporary exhibitions may also require an additional ticket. Check the museum website to confirm what your chosen ticket includes.
Ancient art and European masters
In the main building, galleries on ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia sit alongside displays of sculpture and European painting. The collection spans art from ancient civilizations through later European periods, including the Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age. Works associated with Botticelli, Rembrandt and Van Gogh are among the names represented.
The sculpture casts are replicas, presented as casts rather than original sculptures. They are arranged by period, giving the collection a historical structure to follow as you move through the galleries. The museum also has original study drawings by well-known artists and exhibition spaces with decor shaped around their subjects.
The 19th- and 20th-century gallery
For French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting, visit the separate gallery building. Its collection includes works by Monet, Renoir and Degas. Other artists represented across the museum’s holdings include Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh.
If you are choosing only one building, base the decision on the collection you most want to see: the main building for its broader range of periods and subjects, or the gallery for its concentration of later European and American art. A combined visit means checking out both tickets in advance.
Planning your visit
Advance booking is recommended, with timed entry slots spaced 15 minutes apart. The museum is closed on Mondays. It has a coat check, restrooms, a restaurant and wheelchair-accessible entrances, lifts and restrooms. Tours for visitors with visual impairments are also available.
You can sketch in the galleries using charcoal on paper no larger than A4. If you want to cover both buildings and spend time with the paintings and sculpture, set aside an afternoon. The museum is directly across from the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, so the two sites can be considered together when planning this part of Moscow.
FAQ
Do you need to book Pushkin Museum tickets in advance?
Advance booking on the museum website is recommended. Timed entry slots are offered at 15-minute intervals.
Does one ticket cover both museum buildings?
No. The main building and the Gallery of 19th- and 20th-Century Art require separate tickets. Temporary exhibitions may also need an additional ticket.
How long should you spend at the Pushkin Museum?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for a visit, especially if you plan to see both buildings.
Can you sketch inside the museum?
Yes. Charcoal sketching is permitted on paper no larger than A4.
