The Portico of the New Hermitage Central Entrance

The New Hermitage was built in 1839-1852 to the design of architect Leo Klence for art collection stored in the Winter Palace . It was the first building in Russia constructed especially for an art museum. The principal decoration of the New Hermitage facade that faces the Millionnaya Street is the portico with twelve magnificent Atlantes carved from gray Serdobol granite.

Leo Klenze put in the portico's project in1840. Sculptor Johann von Halbig from Munich made the Atlantes models in small size according to the approved design project. In 1846 the Atlantes design was entrusted to Alexander Terebnev.

Terebenev's creative input was fundamental to this work. He was responsible for the entire plastic design of the statues and the artistry with which strength and tension are conveyed. " The beauty and noble style of these sculptures, the purity and delicacy of the work and the gleam of the polish leave nothing to be desired …” described the work Leo Klenze.