MINSK, 9 March (BelTA) – An exhibition of Russian and Belarusian icons of the 18th – early 20th centuries will open in the National Art Museum of Belarus on 21 March, BelTA learned from the museum.
The exhibition will be timed to the 85th anniversary of Metropolitan Filaret, Honorary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. He provided support for numerous programs of cooperation between the Belarusian Orthodox Church and government agencies for moral and aesthetic education of various groups of the Belarusian society.
The collection of Russian icons in the holdings of the National Art Museum includes around 300 icons of the late 17th –early 20th centuries. Most of them were received from the Belarusian customs service, some were obtained during expeditions in the 1980s, others were handed over by government agencies or citizens. The collection mainly consists of items for personal use.
The exhibition will showcase around 60 Russian icons created in the 18th – early 20th centuries. The icons depict Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, some saints, and Christian holidays. These works illustrate characteristic features of Russian provincial artists who combined archaic tendencies with methods of realism and European baroque. A number of works follow traditions that existed before the reforms of Patriarch Nikon of Moscow and have a distinct artistic language.
The icons of the 19th – early 20th centuries demonstrate a variety of styles. Some of them, originating from the Russian cities of Palekh, Mstera, and Kholuy, stand out thanks to high level of excellence. Artists from Russia's Vladimir, who followed the trends stemming from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, participated in their creation.
Copies of icons originating from the capitals to be featured at the exhibition will also be of interest. The Belarusian Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate will showcase personal items of Metropolitan Filaret, panagias, staffs, liturgical vestments, including a miter woven from straw.
The exhibition will be on show through 21 May.
