Russian icons from the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow

November 18 1997 - January 18 1998
cDaily from 10 am to noon and from 1.30 to 6 pm

The Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny will be holding a great retrospective exhibition of Russian icons.

So after its exhibitions of "Chagall - The Russian years" in 1991 and "Larionov and Gontcharova" in 1995, the Foundation is now harking back to the very source of Russian art.

On this occasion, the Tretiakov Gallery - the Russian national Art Museum in Moscow - is disclosing its incomparable wealth of ancient Russian art and is offering a unique and complete group of icons from the XIV to the XIX centuries. Russian art at that time showed its originality as compared with the Byzantine model and was rich in creation.

The classic themes (the Last Judgement, the Nativity, the Baptism of Christ, ...) and rarer subjects (the life of St.Macarius, Intercession and the Holy Trinity) as well as miraculous virgins illustrate schools of art and styles from different parts of Russia. Icons of the XIV to XVI centuries from the regions of Pskov, Novgorod, Moscow and Yaroslavl constitute the highlights of this event.

The sublime Blue Dormition, being show outside Russia for the first time, illustrates the art of that period and its quest for celestial harmony. The XVII century is represented by the paintings of the Armoury Palace whose style is dominated by its chiaroscuro figures. Simon Uchakov's icon of the Holy Face, which is being shown for the first time in Europe, will be particularly noted for the human and mortal expression of Christ.

The icons of the XVIII and XIX centuries begin to show new influences - the spiritual message of the original icons tends give way to a quest for stylistic effect. So the 60 icons to be shown in Martigny will give the public a chance to appreciate the true value of the spiritual depth and aesthetic worth of this art form.

Never before have so many works of this quality been loaned by the famous Russian gallery. In addition to the icons, a number of holy artefacts will also be on show. "Icons are more than works of art. [...] There is something in these severe paintings that draws us and holds us fast. [...] Their fingers, curved in a blessing, gesture and invite us to draw near while and the same time ensuring that we keep our distance". (Trubetzkoy).

Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to verify the truth of this analysis as they make their way through the exhibition organised by the Tretiakov Gallery in this, the 850th anniversary year of the birth of the City of Moscow and also the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Pierre Gianadda Foundation.

The catalogue also contains a number of essays by specialists. An introduction to the Tretiakov Gallery collection (by Mrs. Yovlyeva, Mrs. Ukhanova and Mrs. Bekenyeva), a piece on the art and influence of icons (by Mr. Jean-Claude Marcadé), a scientific approach to restoration (by Mrs. Gra) and a detailed list of the icons provide some varied and rich reading on this incomparable art.(CHF 45.-, euro 30.-).

Order the catalog