Academy of Fine Arts
Academy of Fine Arts, 1764–88, designed by Vallin de la Mothe, construction supervised by Alexander F. Kokorinov. The Academy, founded by Elizabeth but funded significantly only beginning with Catherine II, played an official role in the training and sponsorship of artists, similar to the monopolistic role of the French Academy.

The two sphinxes—discovered at Thebes and dating to the fourteenth century B.C.—were installed together on granite plinths as part of the landing in 1832 to the design of Konstantin A. Ton.