Movement for a Socialist Future

One of the most attractive spaces in 21st century London is without doubt the re-opened courtyard and terrace of Somerset House in the Strand. Once upon a time it was full of Dickensian corridors where you could track down birth certificates or file for divorce.

Now it has a glorious Renaissance-style courtyard with a constant play of fountains. If you pass through the gates at the end, you will find the Hermitage Rooms which are displaying a selection of work from the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad/St Petersburg. Beyond them lies a splendid terrace with a view of Waterloo Bridge and the Thames.

But strangely we are transported from the Thames to a re-creation in miniature of Catherine the Great's Baroque Winter Palace, today's State Hermitage Museum. Out of their 3 million items, they have lent 75 drawings and 8 paintings.

There is no particular theme or story being told by this selection, it appears. Perhaps it is intended as simply a taster for the vast collection in Russia. It's best to take each object on its on merits, and just enjoy it. You're unlikely to be travelling to the Hermitage itself so this is a chance to get the flavour of the place.

In addition to the original art works, hi-tech audio visuals provide images of the interior of the museum as well as the outside. Touchscreen displays give access to the Hermitage web site.

Some of the artists in the current display will be familiar to most art lovers. Others like the Mannerist Jacques Bellange, and Jacques Callot, both from Nancy, show some of the rich variety in French art of this period.

Nicolas Poussin, the great 17th century classicist (so beloved by Anthony Blunt) is represented by an early painting, Tancred and Erminia, plus a number of intriguing drawings.

Nicolas Poussin, Tancred & Erminia

His near contemporary, Claude Lorrain, remains one of the most brilliant landscape painters of all time. Here we can see three wonderful drawings, plus an ink view of the Trinita dei Monti, the church at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. a study for the same scene which is on view in the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. A must for all Rome lovers!

Drawings and paintings by Picasso and Matisse bring us into the 20th century. Matisse's drawings of his Russian model, Lydia Delectorskaya, are simply glorious.

Henri Matisse, Lydia in a Hairnet

French Drawings is at the Hermitage Rooms, Somerset House until March 3. Open daily 10am-6pm. Closed 24-26 December. Admission £6; £4. www.hermitagerooms.com