May, 27, 2005 - October, 2, 2005

The State Hermitage

Cultural relations between Italy and Russia, always intensive and deep, have impulsed organization of a joint exhibition, dedicated to the links of the two countries for a long period of time, from the Byzantine epoch to the first decade of the 20^th century. The exposition is a part of a large cultural programme mottoed “Italy-Russia. Through the centuries». 

The exhibition is aimed to show the interaction of Russian and Italian art through the centuries. The key masterpieces of Russian and Italian art are considered to represent the main stages of cultural relations of the two countries – from the “aristocratic” beginning and settling of bourgeois bases to the victory of the democratic ideals and the new tendencies of the early 20th century – futurism, abstractionism and metaphysics.

Moscow Kremlin Museums present two perfect works of Russian art: jasper chalice in the silver setting with precious stones, executed for Novgorod Archbishop Moisey in 1329, and the golden Altar Cross, adorned with precious stones and pearls, executed in Moscow in 1562.