The lecture is dedicated to European painting in the Hermitage collection and the characteristics of the artistic schools of Germany, Spain, and England. Listeners will learn about the works of Diego Velázquez, El Greco, Thomas Gainsborough, and Joshua Reynolds, as well as how the historical context influenced the development of national traditions. During the lecture, participants will discover how the national schools of painting in the three countries were formed and what features distinguish them from one another. Special attention will be given to Spanish art, which combines drama, emotional depth, and interest in the inner world of man. Among the examples are the works of Diego Velázquez and El Greco, which have become an important part of European cultural history. A separate section will be devoted to English portraiture. Listeners will discuss the works of Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds, examine the characteristics of personality representation, and the role of the portrait genre in 18th-century culture. The program will also include an introduction to the uniqueness of the German artistic tradition and its contribution to the development of European art.