The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg: Mikhail Piotrovsky

Formerly the official residences of the Tsars, the five buildings that comprise the State Hermitage Museum now house one of the finest art collections in the world. The collection is as vast and rich as its surroundings - ranging from prehistoric artefacts to post-Impressionist masterpieces. Here, renowned Director Mikhail Piotrovsky brings his unique insight and expertise to bear on the collection, presenting us with his highlights from the Museum's extensive holdings. Here you will find masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age and the Flemish Baroque, as well as Impressionist, Fauvist and Expressionist collections. The artists on display range from Michelangelo to Matisse via Velazquez, Van Gogh, Rubens and Renoir. Beautifully illustrated, this guide succeeds in condensing the Museum's array of treasures and making them accessible to all.