The three-story building of the Academy of Arts in classical style is located along the Universitetskaya Embankment on Vasilievsky Island in St. Petersburg, right behind the Egyptian sphinxes. These mythical creatures, brought from ancient Thebes, harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape. The Academy's building is also shrouded in legends. It is said that its architect and first rector, Alexander Kokorinov, committed suicide under the dome of his creation.

The Russian Academy of Arts, founded by Ivan Shuvalov after the model of institutions in Paris, Rome, and Florence, became a link between the culture of Western Europe and Russia. The first teachers were foreigners, and among the first students were architects, sculptors, and artists such as Anton Losenko, Fedot Shubin, Vasily Bazhenov, Fyodor Rokotov, and Ivan Starov. Graduates of the Academy revolutionized Russian painting at the end of the 19th century. However, a scandal occurred at the competition for the Academy's centenary: the holders of the 'Gold Medal' refused to participate.

The idea of creating a domestic school of arts belonged to Peter I. He founded a drawing school at the printing house in St. Petersburg, which he called an academy, but it did not meet Western standards. Russian artists, architects, and engravers were sent to study in Italy, Holland, and France. Before his death, Peter I signed a decree establishing the Academy of Arts, but his successors did not support this idea, and art remained secondary in the Academy of Sciences.

The Academy of Arts, dedicated to painting, sculpture, and architecture, was established in 1757 by Ivan Shuvalov, who used his influence at court to create it. He invited foreign masters, donated his collection, and founded a museum and library. The educational institution opened at Moscow University, recruiting talented children from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Training lasted from 9 to 15 years. At graduation exams, students created canvases on biblical, ancient, and Russian themes. Children entered the Educational School at the Academy at the age of 5-6, where they were taught to draw ornaments and copy ancient samples. They progressed from depicting plaster heads to creating historical canvases. At the end of their studies, students created their masterpieces.

General subjects were also studied: geography, astronomy, mythology, history, and foreign languages. The best graduates were sent for internships in Europe, usually in Italy or France, for three years in the 18th century, later for six. Sometimes they had to be brought back home, like Karl Bryullov, who stayed in Italy for 12 years.

After Shuvalov's disgrace, Catherine II appointed Ivan Betsky as president of the Academy. The empress valued art and granted the Academy the status of Imperial, ensuring its independence and funding. The building project on the Universitetskaya Embankment was developed by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe, and construction was overseen by Alexander Kokorinov. The construction took 24 years and became one of the first works in the classical style in the capital.

The portico of the building was adorned with ancient Hercules and Flora, and the sculptural composition 'Minerva Surrounded by Genius Boys of the Arts' was restored in the early 21st century after a fire. The construction of the Academy was prolonged due to a lack of funds, which, according to rumors, became the reason for Kokorinov's suicide. Vallin de la Mothe left the country without seeing the completion of the project, but by 1817 the work was finished.

In the early years of the Academy, its presidents included both Russians and foreigners. The period of Alexander Stroganov's presidency became a time of flourishing for the Academy. Medal and restoration classes were opened, and even serfs could attend classes. Alexander Olenin, another president, improved the Academy's financial situation and secured funds for its reconstruction. Under his leadership, the Raphael and Titian halls were decorated, and the sphinxes were installed on the embankment.

In the mid-19th century, the Academy was headed by members of the imperial family. Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna and Prince Grigory Gagarin carried out a charter reform, creating individual creative workshops. The Academy became the center of artistic life in the capital, organizing exhibitions, and the library became accessible to all.

However, the teaching method remained the same, based on the study of antiquity and biblical themes. In 1863, the 'rebellion of the fourteen' occurred when graduates refused to participate in the competition due to the imposed theme. They created the 'Artistic Artel,' and later the 'Society of Traveling Art Exhibitions,' preferring to depict contemporary life.

The Academy had to be reformed thanks to Pavel Chistyakov. It produced such geniuses as Repin, Vrubel, Serov, and Polenov. Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich glorified Russian art abroad, opened museums, and participated in the creation of the Russian Museum.

In 1893, the Academy was divided into the Academy of Arts and the Higher Art School. The workshops were headed by artists such as Repin and Shishkin. However, after 'Bloody Sunday,' some artists left the Academy in protest.

The Bolsheviks abolished the Academy of Arts, but it continued to exist as the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture named after I.E. Repin. Today, this is the main building of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts.