The central building of the Russian Museum was originally built as the Mikhail Palace. Carlo Rossi designed the palace for the Grand Duke Mikhail, the brother of Alexander I.
In 1898 the Mikhail Palace opened its doors as the Russian Museum of Alexander III. Established by Nicholas II, the Russian Museum drew in pieces from the Hermitage, the Fine Arts Academy, and private pieces of the Tsars. The collection of 6,000 religious icons was the highlight of the early Russian Museum.
A west wing was added to the museum between 1914-16 to accommodate the growing collection. This expansion would prove fortuitous as the nationalization of private property following the 1917 revolution greatly increased the museum's inventory. In 1917, the museum's collection totaled 7,000 pieces. Today, the Russian Museum is in possession of over 380,000 pieces of artwork
Prior to the revolution, the Russian Museum was limited to paintings, sculpture and graphic arts. The Soviets immediately added applied arts and folk art to the collection, and in 1932 a division of Soviet art was added.
The Russian Museum is the dominant structure on Arts Square.