“Russian Icon: Prayer and Mercy” Exhibition in Rome

The “Russian Icon: Prayer and Mercy” exhibition organized to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Sovereign Order of Malta is already on view at the Museum of Rome, which is located at the heart of Baroque and Renaissance Rome, in the 18^th-century Palazzo Braschi.

This unique exhibition features 36 antique Russian icons from the 17^th – 18^th centuries, loaned from the Museum of Russian Icon, the largest private museum of Byzantine and Old Russian art in Russia, and the Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after Andrei Rublev, the only Russian national museum devoted to early religious art. As the name suggests, it is aimed to highlight ‘prayer’ and ‘mercy,’ two most important elements in the spiritual life of the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

The “Russian Icon: Prayer and Mercy” exhibition includes both antique Russian icons painted in the renowned workshops and studios, and those that came from the remote regions distinguished by their own style of icon painting. Among the most interesting items displayed at the Museum of Rome are:

• Icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God Hodegetria (17^th century)
• Icon of the Shuiskaya Mother of God Hodegetria (17^th century)
• Icon of the Resurrection of Christ (18^th century)
• Icon of Christ Pantocrator (17^th century)
• Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God (18^th century)
• Icon of the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem (18^th century)
• Icon of St. Niphon, Bishop of Cyprus, and St. Artemiy Verkolsky (17^th century)
• Icon of St. George’s Miracle about Snake (17^th century)
• Icon of the Archangel Michael (18^th century)
• Icon of St. Macarius of Unzha (17^th century)

In addition to the collection of antique Russian icons, the “Russian Icon: Prayer and Mercy” exhibition also features Russian avant-garde works that have never been on public display before. These include Dmitriy Gutov’s “Our Lady of the Sign” (2012) made of metal strips and Vladimir Tatlin’s “Composition with Transparent Surfaces” (1916) made on wood. Both artworks are kept in private collections.

The “Russian Icon: Prayer and Mercy” exhibition is on view until December 3, 2017. The cost of the full-price ticket is €9.5, while the reduced-price ticket costs €7.5. If you have an opportunity to visit Rome, do not miss this significant event dedicated to antique Russian icons and fascinating works of avant-garde artists. It is definitely worth seeing by everyone, regardless of origins and religious beliefs!