Vladimir Stasov
Brenna, as chief procurer of arts to Paul's court, amassed a remarkable collection of arts, including works by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Titian. Brenna's unscrupulous handling of state treasury irreparably tarnished his reputation. Paul himself was aware of Brenna's misconduct and was credited with a pun, in French language: "Voila l'architecte qui vole" ("voler" can be interpreted as "soar" as well as "steal"). Vladimir Stasov accused Brenna of physically stealing art from the Hermitage collection.