“Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion” at the Museum of Russian Icons

While Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism are often seen as opposites, the two denominations have more in common than one might think. Both have rich iconographic traditions that have developed throughout the centuries. Did you know that Russian Orthodox icons are surprisingly similar to Mexican religious paintings derived from traditional Catholic art? On March 2, the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA, opened an exhibition titled Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion. It is a collaborative project with the University Art Museum at New Mexico State University (NMSU), which aims to introduce the audience to the wondrous world of Orthodox and Mexican religious art.

“Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion” at the Museum of Russian Icons

Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion features an outstanding selection of religious works of art from the collections of the Museum of Russian Icons and the New Mexico State University. While the former is famous for having one of the largest collections of Orthodox icons outside of Russia, the latter has in its possession more Mexican retablos than any other museum in the US.

Invocations to the Virgin Mary, Invocaciones a la Virgen María, Mexico, 19th century, NMSU Permanent Art Collection, Donated by Gloria Giffords and the Giffords Family.

A retablo is a Spanish word that in 19th-century Mexico evolved to mean images that were usually displayed on home altars. They were created by self-taught artists and usually depicted religious scenes and figures. Unlike Orthodox icons that were painted on wooden panels with egg tempera, Mexican retablos were painted on tin plates with oil. Similarly to Orthodox icons, retablos were meant to serve as windows into heaven. In both cases, the painters needed to stay anonymous to preserve the divine nature of the pieces.

Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion invites the visitors to draw parallels between the two artistic traditions. In the center of the display are the ideological and stylistic differences and similarities between Orthodox and Mexican religious art.

Mother of God Kazanskaya, About 1840, Egg tempera on wood, metal oklad, Museum of Russian Icons permanent collection.

This bilingual exhibition will feature materials in English and Spanish. It is curated by the reputable art historian Dr. Elizabeth Calil Zarur who has spent years of her career studying Latin American and Portuguese art.

If you love Orthodox and Catholic religious art or simply want to learn a little bit more about the Christian artistic traditions of the world, Icons & Retablos: Images of Devotion is an eye-opening experience you don’t want to miss. It is on view at the Museum of Russian Icons at 203 Union St, Clinton, MA, through August 27, 2023.

Featured image: Our Lord of Sacromonte and Our Lady of Sorrows, Señor del Sacromonte y Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, Mexico, 19th century, Oil on tin, NMSU Permanent Art Collection, Donated by Gloria Giffords and the Giffords Family. 

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Russian Icons