The State Tretyakov Gallery is one of the world's most famous symbols of Moscow and Russia; it houses the largest collection of masterpieces of Russian fine art. It owes its appearance to merchant, patron of the arts, passionate collector and admirer of Russian artists P. M. Tretyakov.
In 1856 he bought the first canvas for the future gallery, in 1867 the exhibition was presented to the public. In 1892, P. M. Tretyakov presented the unique collection as a gift to his native city. At that time, the collection numbered just under 2000 works of art created from the XI to the beginning of the XX century. The impeccable taste did not change the patron's mind, and the collection is still called the golden fund of Russian art.
