me!
-Oh, don't.
How dare you! Quiet!
-We're here.
-Yes.
Can we go closer to that painting?
Would you Iike me to tell you about it?
The Virgin with Partridges by van Dyck.
Catherine II acquired it.
Tell me about this painting.
PIease, tell me.
See the calm and serenity
around the Madonna and Joseph.
-Joseph, yes.
-God protects them.
There is no doubt
about his unseen presence.
The apple tree represents Iife.
Sunflowers stand for piety.
On the upper right,
partridges symbolise frivolity.
-They're flying away.
-Partridges....
Angels dance and play.
So many other symbols
that we can only guess about.
Sir, leave her. She's an angel.
Why have you gone quiet?
The partridges, the children, the Madonna....
Thank you, madam. Thank you.
I highly value your opinion
on the works of van Dyck.
You'II definitely be interested
in another painting.
Be very careful!
A Rubens.
Sir, do not disturb me!
The Feast in the House
of Simon the Pharisee.
The Pharisee....
I don't see it.
Where is it?
Thirty-six, thirty-five....
No, that painting isn't here.
Not part of the Tsar's collection.
Yes, it's here.
That particular Rubens is not here!
Yes, it was from Lord Walpole's collection...
Iike The Virgin with Partridges.
But that Rubens isn't on exhibit.
But it's here.
-Where are you?
-What a wonderful scent!
The scent of oils....
Sir, let's leave here now.
No, Iet's stay a while.
What wonderful paintings!
What are those men counting?
You were right. I found it.
Let's take a closer Iook.
There it is.
We're almost there.
Face the painting directly.
There it is.
Yes, there it is.
-Something to say about Rubens?
-Van Dyck.
Rubens considered van Dyck
to be his best pupil.
You know, there was a time
when all these paintings...
were placed much higher
and much closer to one another.
The Tsar himself supervised
how they were hung. Did you know this?
-Who are you?
-I'm a sailor.
-Insignias.
-Yes, the Navy.
The Tsar visited his collection
every morning.
He personally saved all this...
during the fire.
-Which fire?
-In 18....
So you are asking me?
Enough, Iet's go.
It's time for me to go.
May I accompany you?
What a pity.
I must ask you to Ieave.
The museum is closing.
PIease see yourself to the exit.
Quiet. CIose the door.
The museum is closing.
-How was my scene?
-I wasn't impressed.
I was joking.
Joking....
-Do you hear music?
-I hear something.
Russian music makes me break out in hives.
That has nothing to do with the music.
Why do you look at me like that?
-Rags.... A dog....
-Rags.... A dog....
-Eternal people....
-Eternal people....
Live and go on Iiving.
-You'II outlive them all.
-Eternal people....
What are you doing? Eavesdropping?
Are you interested in painting?
What nice Iittle hands!
Stay away from me!
Amen. Amen.
-Beautiful, isn't it?
-Absolutely.
-Are you Catholic?
-No, I'm not Catholic.
Why do you ask?
It seemed to me that you were deep
in thought...
while admiring the images
of the founders of our church.
I don't know. I wasn't thinking about that.
You were not....
Do you know that
those are the apostles Peter and Paul?
Yes, that's what I heard.
That's what you heard. And so?
I Iooked at them because I Iike them.
You Iike them....
-One day, all men...
-AII men....
-...will become Iike them.
-Really?
How can you know
what will become of people...
if you don't know the Scriptures?
Why aren't you saying anything?
Look at their hands.
The hands are beautiful. And so?
How can you know what will become
of people...
if you don't know the Scriptures?
For you, they're just two dusty old men.
-Just flesh.
-They're covered with dust...
from their Iong road to appear
in this painting.
-What happened?
-They are good and wise.
How can you know their character...
if you have not read the Gospels?
How can you know all that?
Sir, why are you frightening him?
He was already afraid.
He's not afraid.
These people