Upgrade of Lighting in Hall 277 of the State Hermitage

Abstract

This article outlines the experience associated with the reconstruction of lighting of Museum Hall No. 277 located in the historical interiors of the Winter Palace of the State Hermitage. This work is aimed to create a harmonious light environment in the Museum Hall, favourable for the general perception of the architecture and interior of the hall, and to provide conditions for the full perception of the exhibited items. Identified difficulties are: - Non-classical dimensions of the Hall, which is part of the French enfilade; - Polychrome painting and stucco on walls and ceiling; - Venerable age (darkening of the paint layer) and uniqueness of the paintings, as well as large dimensions of the frames. The general parameters of the lighting system consisting of two parts Ц the general lighting of the Hall and the lighting of exhibited items Ц are determined. The system shall provide a joint combined operation of two independently flux-controlled diffused (reflected from the ceiling) and directional (direct) light components. The system should be adjustable (to an extent) to possible exhibition changes. The system should not have a negative impact on the exhibited items and the interior. The system influencing technical parameters, such as types of light sources, their correlated colour temperatures, levels of general and special colour rendering indexes, the types of lighting devices and their location, approximate illumination levels in paintings and walls, the approximate ratio between illumination, and direct and scattered light in paintings, are selected. The performed construction and installation works, as well as the adjustment, have shown that the updated lighting installation meets the set tasks and complies with the requirements of quality perception and safety of exhibited items and interior of the hall.