Address:
- Minsk, Lenin Street 20
This is not just a museum, but a comprehensive cultural and educational complex where classical and contemporary art come together in a single, inspiring space. With more than 30,000 works spanning 12 centuries and over a hundred cultures
A Complex History
The museum’s history began in 1939 with the opening of the State Art Gallery of the Byelorussian SSR. Its collections were formed from historical museum holdings across Belarus, nationalized estates, and gifts from leading Russian museums, including the Tretyakov Gallery and the Hermitage. However, at the start of World War II, most of the collection was lost – it could not be evacuated in time, and the fate of many masterpieces remains unknown to this day.
The postwar decades were a time of rebuilding. The museum was literally reconstructed from scratch – acquiring works from contemporary artists, conducting scientific expeditions, and receiving donations. In 1957, it received a new building on Lenin Street, designed by architect Mikhail Baklanov. Its grand facade with a pediment and sculptures became a defining feature of central Minsk and was even featured on the 1000 Belarusian ruble banknote issued in 2000.
Collections That Inspire
Today, the museum's holdings are divided into over 20 sections – from ancient Belarusian icon painting to contemporary art, from Russian realism to East Asian ceramics and European baroque.
Belarusian art is the museum’s pride. Here you can find icons from the 12th to 18th centuries, intricately carved royal gates from a cathedral in Mahilioŭ, paintings by Ivan Khrutski, Stanisław Żukowski, and Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya. A highlight of the collection is the painting Winter Dream, which earned the artist a gold medal at the 1911 exhibition in Barcelona.
Among the Russian art on display are masterpieces by Ivan Aivazovsky, Ivan Shishkin, Ilya Repin, and Mikhail Urubel. The exhibition includes I. Repin's painting "Moonlit Night. Zdravlevo", inspired by Belarusian landscapes, as well as Polesie landscapes by I. Shishkin.
Western European art includes works from the 16th to 19th centuries. A standout piece is The Musicians by Girolamo Troppa – the only known painting by the artist on post-Soviet territory. Also notable are the genre scenes of everyday life in 17th-century Europe by Dutch painter Thomas Heeremans.
Eastern art is represented by porcelain, textiles, and sculptures from China, Japan, and India. One of the rarest items is a gilded statuette of White Tara, the Buddhist goddess of compassion, crafted using the ancient fire-gilding technique.
A Modern Museum Quarter
The museum continues to grow: new buildings have been added to the historical complex, connected by glass galleries. These modern spaces allow for the display of both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, as well as lectures, masterclasses, and cultural events. The museum also operates three branches: in Minsk (Vankovich House), in Raubichy (Museum of Belarusian Folk Art), and in Mahilioŭ (Byalynitsky-Birulya Museum).
Currently, efforts are underway to create a full-fledged museum quarter. The plan includes a sculpture park, cafés, art restaurants, souvenir shops, and new exhibition pavilions. As a result, the museum will become not only a meeting point with art but also a comfortable place for leisure and cultural engagement.
How to Visit
The National Art Museum is located at 20 Lenin Street. The easiest way to reach it is on foot from the Oktyabrskaya or Kupalauskaya metro stations. The museum is open daily except Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
Why You Should Go
Visiting the National Art Museum is a chance to journey through centuries and continents in just a few hours – to connect with the rich culture of Belarus and see genuine masterpieces of world art. It’s equally fascinating for experienced connoisseurs and those just beginning their exploration of art. To fully appreciate the depth of the collection, it's best to take a guided tour – it will reveal a new, inspiring dimension of the museum.