Museum of Russian icons in Moscow

The history of Russian iconography is seven centuries old. The names of the masters, whose creations have survived to this day, are the glory of Russian painting, as well as the images of Orthodox saints created by them. Few museums can be proud of the fact that their expositions exhibited icons of the XII-XIX centuries, when most of the masterpieces of Russian icon painting were created. The private museum of the Russian icon on Taganka, founded by businessman and philanthropist Mikhail Abramov, today has a rather extensive exposition - over four thousand copies are presented to the public in its exhibition halls, including 600 icons, the rest - crosses and antiquities related to iconography and Orthodoxy.

Russian icon painting as a reflection of culture

In which city of the Russian state the first private museum of the Russian icon appeared, no one will dare say for sure - it could exist, but remain unknown to outsiders. Historians write about many private museums, highlighting the most significant of them, and whose statements are the most accurate - a controversial issue.

More reliably you can talk about the icon painters themselves, they managed to establish the years of their creations with astonishing accuracy - from Theophanes the Greek to Fedor Zubov. They painted the most famous domestic churches, their works - the most priceless Orthodox icons. Russian Museum - anyone who could boast of having among his exhibits a particle of the creation of great icon painters - could be considered unspeakably rich. The masterpieces that have survived to this day are the true achievement of both national and world culture.

The museum of the Russian icon, founded by Mikhail Abramov, opened in Moscow on Goncharnaya Street, behind the Kotelnicheskaya high-rise in the Taganka area, not so long ago - in 2006, but for today this is the largest private collection of icons in Russia. Initially, the collection was located in the business center "Vereiskaya Plaza", which is on Slavyansky Boulevard, and occupied only a small area. To get a sightseeing tour it was possible only by prior arrangement. Only after the opening of the new building on Taganka did the access to the private collection of the icons was available to all comers.

The first private collection of icons in Russia

The most valuable rarities of the museum on Taganka: the icon of Our Lady of Odigitria by Simon Ushakov is the only signature icon of the master; Image of St. Nicholas of Myra; A unique collection of Pskov icon painters of the 16th century.

The first private drevlehranilishcha monuments of icon painting began to appear in Russia in the first half of the XIX century. The most famous of them were collected by M. Pogodin and P. Korobanov. But the true art of painting the icon began to be considered only in the twentieth century. At the same time, the collector N. Likhachev, who owned the most extensive collection of works by Russian icon painters in St. Petersburg, opened the first public museum of the Russian icon that was accessible to the public. In Moscow, these galleries opened their doors in houses owned by the artist I. Ostroukhov and merchant S. Ryabushinsky. It was not long before the revolution.

Modern private expositions of ancient icon painting

We can safely say that the first founder of the modern private museum of the Russian icon was the collector E. Roizman from Yekaterinburg. His collection of late Old Believer icon painting, reflecting the culture of the XVIII-XIX centuries, became available to the general public in 1999, when the museum's "Nevyanskaya Ikona" museum was unveiled.

In Moscow, for the true connoisseurs of Orthodox painting, the doors of two private collections of icons are open at once. In addition to the collection of Mikhail Abramov, for several years the museum "The House of Icons and Paintings named after S.P. Ryabushinsky "on Spiridonovka. Among its exhibits are authentic masterpieces. They include the icon of Our Lady of the Odigitria of the Georgian work of the 15th century, the icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker written in the first half of the 16th century, and a dozen of late-period icon painters of Russia that make up the true glory of Russian painting. For today the Museum of the Russian Icon on Spiridonovka has an exposition that includes more than two and a half thousand icons.

Stages of the foundation of the museum on Taganka

Ancient icons in his collection, Mikhail Abramov acquired in both Russian and foreign private galleries. On his means, everything that could be found standing in antique salons was bought. True, the bulk of the exhibits came from several private collections, the largest of which were in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Thus, the Museum of the Russian Icon was replenished with masterpieces stored in the personal collections of three Moscow artists - S. Vorobiev, V. Momot and A. Kokorin.

In 2007, in Borna, Mikhail Abramov officially acquired and legally brought to Russia 10 icons stolen in 1984 from the Veliky Ustyug State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve (the temple of Dmitry Solunsky in Dymkovo village). Of course, the acquirer had no idea of the difficult fate of these icons written in the 16th-17th centuries on the Kostroma lands. They were not listed as wanted, since there were no photographic images of them. Only after the examination at the State Scientific Research Institute of Restoration did they learn the history of these icons. Of course, Mikhail Abramov transferred them to the state repository. In 2008, in the Tretyakov Gallery, these icons were shown to visitors at the exhibition "Returned Property".

But the experts of the Abramov museum once revealed among the purchased exhibits stolen once in Rostov a shrine - a carved cross. He was immediately returned to the state. Mikhail Abramov himself is deliberately engaged in the purchase of Russian icons abroad, making every effort to return valuable items of her great history to her homeland.

Priceless exhibits of the museum on Taganka

The icon of the level of Rublev or Dionysius, of course, is not here - the bulk is composed of works of the 16th - early 20th century. The works of the masters of the Armory Chamber are well represented. Some icons of their touching provinciality please the heart: Rostov, Vologda, Obonezh, Tver, Kargopol, Solikamsk, Volga region - these are just some of the places from which these exhibits originate. Fans of solving iconography like boards of the XVIII-XIX centuries: large museums usually neglect such "late" images, and after all they are extremely curious.

Acquisition of Abramovs in 2007 a collection of icons, formerly owned by the famous Leningrad collector V. Samsonov, was an important event for the patron. The museum of the Russian icon on Goncharnaya was replenished with authentic masterpieces of Russian icon painting - the image of Our Lady of Odigidriya, written by Simon Ushakov himself, and several icons of the later period of the brush of lesser known masters, but who did not lose their true historical and cultural value. Even the acquisition of the collection is intriguing.

Samsonov dreamed of opening his own icon collection museum in his native city, whose true gem would be his own collection, but these dreams were not to come true. After the death of the collector, some of the exhibits were lost by his unworthy heirs, and the remnants were taken to one of the temples, where they were stored in complete negligence. It was bought by Mikhail Abramov, thereby not only replenishing the exposition of his own museum, but also dedicating it to the bright memory of the first owner.

How does the museum determine the true value of exhibits

Fascinated by the collection of icons, Abramov established close relations with experts in ancient Russian art, specialists from the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum. No exhibit passes by the expertise, it helps maintain a high historical and cultural level of the meeting. In addition, if you can buy a very valuable exhibit, it is at least twice checked to confirm the non-criminal past. The Ministry of Culture, to which it passed from Rosokhrankultura, has the base of the stolen valuables - all ancient objects are checked against this base.

To ensure that no purchase could cast a shadow on the noble beginning of the mission that is sponsored by the patron Abramov, the director of the Museum of the Russian icon Nikolai Zadorozhny strictly follows. Under his leadership, the museum was transported and equipped with a unique Old Believer chapel of the XIX century, found in the forest of the Tver region almost destroyed. The chapel was carefully disassembled literally on a log, brought to a museum workshop and recreated almost in its original form, where the images of the icons are arranged in the proper order, and the liturgical books are opened, as if for prayer, and only candles illuminate the whole room. Visitors can enter it only by bending over.

A bit about expositions

In the summer of 2014 a new exposition was opened in the Abramov museum, under which the entire fourth floor of the building was taken. It is dedicated to icon painting of the XIX-XX centuries. All the variety of late Russian painting from the rubella and chromolithographies to the monumental temple icons are presented to the general public. One can also admire the strictly canonical Old Believer icons written in the so-called "centers of ancient piety", which were in Tver, Vetka, Moscow, Moscow and the Urals. A large part of the exposition was allocated for acquaintance with the art of book writing of those years.

In total, the museum has four exhibition floors, the entrances to them are simulated for safe doors. Behind one of them is a recreated Old Believers' chapel of the XIX century with cast and carved Old Believer crosses, icons, the Gospel. The vestibule exhibits the remains of an old iconostasis. Even the buffet has antiques - on its walls are hung ancient Russian painted spinning wheels. One of the exhibition halls is equipped with an Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Lectures, demonstrations and author's excursions

Stationary excursions in the museum are held six days a week, the exception is Wednesday. The subjects of these excursions differ little from ordinary museums. In addition to the overview of the collection of icons, you can visit such as "Russian icon painting of the XIV-XVI centuries" and "Russian iconography of the XIX-early XX centuries. Main styles, leading centers and masters ". But special attention deserves author's excursions, one of which is "The World of the Russian Skete: the Culture of the Old Believers", developed by E.B. Solodovnikova, - is most in demand among visitors.

Quite often the museum hosts lectures and theme nights. Organized concerts - in the lobby for these purposes exposed piano. In order that every interested person could not only see priceless exhibits, but also listen to a series of lectures on the cultural traditions of ancient Russia, the museum is equipped with a conference hall, a specialized library fund is assembled, in which everything can be found about the history of the creation of the Orthodox icon. The Russian Abramov Museum is widely known abroad, thanks to its rich exposition and generosity - museum visitors can admire its exhibits for free - everything is paid by its founder Mikhail Abramov. This circumstance distinguishes in principle the private Museum of the Russian icon from the state galleries.

State museums of both capitals

The main monuments of the fine arts of the Russian state are kept in the Tretyakov Gallery and the Hermitage. But two more museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg should be recalled, since they have a direct relation to the great heritage of Russian icon painting, and among their exhibits are the most famous icons of ancient masters. One of them is the State Russian Museum. Icons among his exhibits occupy a prominent place, but not the main one. There is a museum in the Northern capital.

The Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after Andrei Rublyov, located in Moscow, has no less relation to Russian iconography. Founded in 1947, it has a rich exposition and is the main repository of the great national heritage of fine art. The museum displays one of the most venerated icons of the icon of Vladimir the Virgin, written by Rublev in 1409.

Orthodox churches - living museums of iconography

How many Orthodox churches throughout the country - all not count, and in each icon. Of course, most of the temples and shrines in them have only a relative value, more for study by artists, not historians. Those churches that possess true masterpieces, in every possible way preserve their values for several dozen permanent parishioners, but they will never agree to transfer them to museums where thousands of connoisseurs of ancient art could see them. To reproach the priests in the absence of patriotism is impossible - the churches entrusted to them need these icons. The Russian Museum, even the smallest one, has several priceless exhibits, but not every church can boast of even one icon of great historical and cultural significance. Although, if it is fair to judge what they were written for, if not to serve the parishioners with inspiration for prayers?

Importance of ancient icons for modern Orthodox believers

Of course, museum expositions, even if they represent Orthodox icons, have little to awaken in the hearts of true faith. As it is insulting to admit, but still they have more museum value - the atmosphere of the exposition itself builds a wall between admiration for art and delight from the feeling of presence of the Holy Spirit. Having created the Museum of the Russian Icon Abramov can break this trend, but so far his project has not managed to avoid this bleak fate, although the interior of some halls is as close to the temple as possible. Nevertheless, to see the holy images, before which our ancestors knelt, is the greatest happiness for every Orthodox Christian. This happiness gives people the Museum of the Russian icon. Moscow was enriched with another monument of ancient culture.

Pleases and the fact that the founder of the museum tried to bring closer to the church not only the interior decoration of the premises, but also carefully worked on the external ensemble of the complex - opposite the Museum of the Russian icon is the Athonite Russian Saint Panteleimon monastery. The choice of location was ideal.

The role of patrons in preserving the heritage of Orthodoxy

Having created the Museum of the Russian Icon on Taganka Abramov deserves not only the respect of contemporaries. His selfless love for the culture of his native Fatherland helps to reconstruct the history of Russian Orthodoxy in bitterness. Forces and means for this are spent considerable.

The case and the legacy of the Tretyakov brothers live to this day, this is proved by the true philanthropist Mikhail Abramov. The museum of the Russian icon, created by him, is the best evidence of this. Moreover, the founder of the museum is a very young man and can do much more for the prosperity of the glory of his native Fatherland. Moreover, he continues to search for artifacts for his offspring even now, and who knows what rare icons are still kept in villages and in the weight of a vast country behind curtains and curtains, in front of which lighted candles burn in the red corners of the rooms.