This was formerly the drawing-room of the Second Reserve Apartment, decorated by Alexander Briullov after the 1837 fire. The room contains a display of works by the great French Classical artist of the 17th century Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665). The Hermitage possesses 11 paintings by the artist, dating from various periods in his career. These works of mythological, historical, religious and literary subjects, as well as heroic landscapes, are marked by clarity of composition, lofty imagery and depth of philosophical thought. Among the masterpieces of the collection are Tancred and Erminia, Landscape with Polyphemus and Rest on the Flight into Egypt.
