This museum is housed in the former Mikhail's Palace, built in the early 19th century to a design by Rossi for the Grand Duke Mikhail. The building was bought by the state in 1895, reconstructed and opened as a museum in 1898. It is one of the largest art galleries in the country. It contains one of biggest and richest collections of Russian art ranging from 11th century icons to works of the early 20th century including those by Kandinsky, Malevich, Chagal and Altman. Collection of the museum also contains sculptures and pieces of applied art.