Icons painted by the masters of the Tsar's court in the XVIIth century

Icon of the Mother of God
Russia, Moscow, the late XVIIth century.
Wood, gesso ground, fabric, egg tempera
Icon of the Virgin Mary of Vladimir with border scenes
Russia, Moscow, second half of the XVIth century - the early XVIIth century.
Wood, canvas, gesso ground, egg tempera
Bogolubskaya Icon of the Theotokos with worshippers
Russia, Moscow, the early XVIIth century.
Wood, canvas, gesso ground, egg tempera
Icon "The Adoration of the Magi"
Russia, Moscow, 1698-1699.
Wood, canvas, gesso ground, egg tempera.
From the Moscow Kremlin Assumption Cathedral
Icon "Enthroned Virgin Mary with a Child, surrounded by saints"
Russia, Moscow, 1698.
Kirill Ulanov.
Wood, canvas, gesso ground, egg tempera
Icon "the Descent of the Holy Spirit
Russia, Moscow, circa 1698-1699.
From the Moscow Kremlin Assumption Cathedral.
Icon "Christ Carrying the Cross"
Russia, Moscow, the Armoury Chamber workshop, last quarter of the XVIIth century.
Wood, gesso ground, egg tempera
08№ Icon "The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple"
Russia, Moscow, circa 1679.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera
Icon "The Descent into Hell"
Russia, Moscow, 1680-1681.
Wood, gesso ground, egg tempera.
From the main iconostasis of the Moscow Kremlin Archangel's Cathedral.
Icon "Christ the Almighty"
Russia, Moscow, the late XVIIth century.
Simon Ushakov.
Wood, gesso ground, fabric, egg tempera
Icon of Theotokos Iverskaya
Russia, Moscow, 1699.
Kirill Ulanov.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera
Icon "Sts. Constantine and Helen"
Russia, Moscow, 1699.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera
Icon of Prophet Elijah
Russia, Moscow, first half of the XVIIth century.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera
Icon of St. John the Baptist
Christening (measured) icon of Tsar Ivan Alexeevich.
Russia, Moscow, 1666
Icon "St. Alexius, the Man of God, and St. Mary of Egypt"
Russia, Moscow, 1648.
Rudakov Jacob Kazanets.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera
Icon "St. John the Baptist, the Apostle Peter and St. Alexius, the Man of God"
Russia, Moscow, 1683.
Wood, gesso ground, canvas, egg tempera

April, 26 - September, 02, 2012

the Kirillo-Belozersky State Historical Architectural Art museum-reserve

Organised by:: the Kirillo-Belozersky State Historical Architectural Art museum-reserve in collaboration with the Moscow Kremlin Museums

01# Icon of the Mother of God The exhibition has been intended as a representation of the Moscow school of icon painting, which had a considerable impact on the development of Russian art and culture in the XVIIth century. The exposed icons reveal the artistic manner and techniques, peculiar to various renowned Russian craftsmen, who have been producing their masterpieces as court painters in the Tsar’s workshops during the period.

The icons were crafted in the Tsar’s workshops therefore the themes, iconographic schemes, design and even stylistic features of the Russian XVIIth century icon-painting were influenced by the interests of the Royal family and conformed with the regulations of the official court departments.

The project incorporates over 30 masterpieces from the Moscow Kremlin collection, which were painted by the most distinguished artists of that time, i.e. Simon Ushakov, Fyodor Zubov, Mikhail Milutin, Kirill Ulanov and others. As the artworks carry a signature of the maker and due to a large number of historical documents, still preserved nowadays, the names of these masters are known today.

The exhibition is divided into two sections, those of the first one comprises icons of the iconostases from the Moscow Kremlin cathedrals and the second one presents christening (measured) icons with images of heavenly patrons of members of the Tsar’s family, icons painted on the occasion of the Tsar’s accession to the throne as well as icons with conventional portraits of Russian sovereigns. Both sections explores the emergence and development of new iconographic tradition and style within the art of icon painting during the XVIIth century, which combined the traditions of the late XVIth-century Russian painting with some features from local Russian schools and elements of the West-European painting.

The exhibition is worthy of visiting not only for researchers and collectors but for everyone who is interested in history of the Russian culture and artistic heritage.