In the Moscow Kremlin Museums opened an exhibition devoted to the brightest period in the history of England: Tudor and early Stuart

Moscow Kremlin
October 24, 2012 - January 27, 2013

In the exhibition hall of the Assumption Belfry and One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace of the Moscow Kremlin Exhibition "Golden Age" of the English court, from Henry VIII to Charles I.

The exhibition is dedicated to the brilliant period in the history of England - Tudor and early Stuart, who played a crucial role in the development of English nationhood, culture and national identity. This era is considered the "golden age" of British culture.

chronological framework of the exhibition include XVI - first half of the XVII century, the period when the Renaissance courtyard, formed under Henry VII and Henry VIII Tudor, became one of the main centers of culture. His many and intense cultural life reached its zenith during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and finally the mature forms found in James I and Charles I Stuart. Formal portraits of these remarkable monarchs are worthy decoration exhibition in the Moscow Kremlin Museums.

• portrait of King Henry VIII. London,
  end XVI - early XVII century. (From an original by Hans Holbein the Younger, about 1536)
  Oil on copper
  National Portrait Gallery, London
  Source: kreml.ru
• Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (hempdensky portrait)
  England. About 1560
  Attributed to Steven van Gerviku or
  Steven van der Meylenu
  Oil on canvas Private collection
  Source: kreml.ru

exhibition presents the English monarchs as tastemakers, patrons and collectors, defining the artistic tastes of the time, talks about the evolution of style in the fine and decorative arts, costume courtly and architectural design of the royal residences.

In mid XVII century in England was a revolution. Many works of art, are the pride of the royal collections were sold, melted down or disappeared, and only rare "reflections" refined elite culture survived these dramatic events. The more valuable to the Russian public to see at the show rare historic treasures that have survived to the present day.

The exhibition features masterpieces of court art from the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Collection, Royal Armouries, History Museum of London, National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Honourable Company gunsmiths and coppersmiths, private collections.

Bull and Gryphon Deykrov kind. Cumbria. 1507-1525 Oak, carving, gilding, the banner of tinned copper Victoria and Albert Museum, London Source: kreml.ru

memorial plate in honor of Queen Elizabeth I London, Aldgate. 1600 Master Jasper Andries and Jacob Jansen Delft pottery, tin glaze, blue, ocher, yellow, green and manganese pigments Source: kreml.ru

Among them - the heraldic sculpture, ceremonial silver, jewelry, antique clocks, ceremonial vessels, elements of interior decoration. Of particular interest is the unique jewelry that survived the era of the Revolution, which is extremely rare. There are only five historical treasures, enjoy the status of a "national treasure." Of these, the exhibition will feature two: the so-called jewel "Barbora" and "Drake" (bearing the names of their owners).

great interest in the exhibition are examples of weapons and firearms, as well as ceremonial armor, quality and exquisite decor which were intended to demonstrate the strength and power of their owners. In this case, special attention should Greenwich armor in 1540, belonged to King Henry VIII, courtesy of the Royal Collection, with the consent of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.

armor of Henry VIII Greenwich. Royal gunsmith under Erasmus Kirkenara, 1539 Steel with engraved edge Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Royal Collection Source: kreml. ru

dagger and scabbard Switzerland. 1592 Steel, wood carving, casting, engraving Victoria and Albert Museum, London Source: kreml.ru

Visitors are invited to get acquainted with the unique collection of English portrait miniatures XVI - XVII centuries - unusually attractive lyrical portrait by royal top artists, including special place Nicholas Hilliard - Illustrious miniature Elizabethan era.

Portrait of Elizabeth I England. Around 1585-1587, Socket - XVII in. Nicholas Hilliard cardboard, watercolor, Velenje, frame - vellum frame Victoria and Albert Museum, London Source: kreml.ru

Portrait of Peregrine Bertie England. 1590 Nicholas Hilliard Watercolor, Velen Victoria and Albert Museum, London Source: kreml.ru