The Venice Biennale is one of the largest exhibitions of world art, and Russia has participated since its founding in 1895. In the early 20th century, European interest in Russia grew, and in 1914 this success was cemented by the construction of the Russian pavilion in Venice, which became the country's first overseas exhibition space.

Architect Alexey Shchusev designed the pavilion in a neo-Russian style, reminiscent of a terem. The building reflected the uniqueness of Russian architecture: wooden gates with carvings, a glass roof with a double-headed eagle, and vignettes on the facade. Since 1914, the Russian exhibition at the biennale has been housed in this pavilion.

Russian and Soviet architects also created pavilions for other international exhibitions. In 1925, constructivists Melnikov and Rodchenko built the USSR pavilion for the Paris exhibition. In 1937, the pavilion by Iofan was presented there, adorned with the sculpture "Worker and Kolkhoz Woman." The sculpture by Mukhina was returned to Russia and installed at VDNH, the library from Rodchenko's pavilion is available in reconstruction, and the Russian pavilion in Venice has been preserved. Over the past hundred years, it has been remodeled multiple times, but it remains open for visits.