March 17, 1941: When the Hermitage lost 24,000 artworks (more) Today in History—March 17: When Russia’s Masterpieces Came to America Written by Alicja Zelazko Alicja Zelazko is Associate Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and performance. Before joining Encyclopædia Britannica in 2017, she worked at the Art... Alicja Zelazko Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 16, 2026 •History March 17, 1941: When the Hermitage lost 24,000 artworks© Bettmann/Getty Images; Photo Illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. On this day in 1941, U.S. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a dedication speech to some 6,000 guests in the rotunda of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., accepting the new museum on behalf of the nation. He praised Andrew Mellon, who, before his death in 1937, had donated his art collection, funds to construct the...

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