At the Art Museum of Saratov, an exhibition of works by famous Russian artists working in the genre of academic religious paintings at different stages of its development

Saratov state art Museum im. A. N. Radishchev,
22 Dec 2016 — on February 26 2017
Saratov, ul., 39

Religious art has played a significant role in the cultural life of Russia and for centuries relied on the established technical and visual techniques, from the late seventeenth century is experiencing great changes. At this time Russian architecture and religious painting were under a noticeable influence of Western European innovations. In the reign of Peter the religious art loses its dominant position, and in the XVIII — XIX centuries have secular art has a strong influence on the further development of icon painting.

Since the beginning of the XVIII century Russian culture adopts the aesthetics of European art styles. The construction of temples in line with the dominant artistic direction was actively supported by the government. And traditional icon painting as if she went to meet the new aesthetic attitudes. So, at different times in the icon felt the echoes of such styles as Baroque, classicism and art Nouveau. Under the influence of the European tradition is the process of blurring of icons and religious paintings. Iconic images acquired features picturesque, with imposing value gets the aesthetic aspect of the work, takes the thoughts and feelings of the viewer from prayerful contemplation.

After the creation of the Academy of arts in 1757 it became to define tastes in art, including religious art. In the first place in the Academy was a branch of history painting, which focused primarily on religious subjects, and trained specialists to design new churches.

the exhibition includes works of famous Russian painters from the academic religious painting at different stages of its development. The work of Professor of the Imperial Academy of arts, F. A. Bruni, participated in all most significant works in the field of religious painting in the 1830-40-х years — the paintings of St. Isaac's, the Kazan Cathedral in Saint-Петербурге, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and many others one of the most popular of his paintings — "agony in the garden" (1830-е). Here you can see a sketch of a painting by K. P. Briullov "Jesus before the people" (1843-1847) of St. Isaac's Cathedral, as well as a sketch of M. N. Nesterov to the song "the Way to Christ" (1908-1911), decorated the refectory of the Moscow Marfo-Мариинской abode. Occupy a special place at the exhibition icons, sketches, and cartoons of V. M. Vasnetsov, had a huge impact on Russian religious art of the late XIX — early twentieth century.

in Parallel with the official religious art continued to exist the traditional iconography. The forgotten Orthodox bishops, it became a lot of porters, painters from the suburbs and of the individual monasteries. At the exhibition you can see works by-прежнему occupied the leading position of the Moscow craftsmen of the St Petersburg icon-painting school that emerged in the context of academic traditions, as well as more traditional in nature and products of the Vladimir icon painting villages. A special place is occupied by the icons of the Saratov shops. All these differentmonuments are United by the desire to use elements of existing styles. With much love and in the XVIII and XIX century used Baroque style in which painters found forms and techniques, more reflective of the gravity of ecclesiastical art to external splendor.

No less interesting phenomenon was an old believer icon. After the tragic split of the Russian religious society in 1650-60-х years the zealots of ancient piety became followers of traditional icon painting. They for more than two centuries, sought ancient icons and kept the technical basis of the canonical Russian icon painting. In Saratov province the old believers played a prominent role: a large settlement of old believers of different persuasions in Khvalynsk, Volsk, Pugachev, Atkarsk and Saratov in fact had a great influence on the spiritual traditions of the region. At the exhibition you can get acquainted with samples of the Saratov old believers ' icon painting and other centers of the Russian Church schism, such as Branch (Gomel province, Belarus), Starodub (Chernigov province, Ukraine), Syzran (Samara province) and others.

Particularly sensitively perceived stylistic innovations of this period the masters of decorative-прикладного art. Embroiderers and jewelers enthusiastically reproduced the most popular ornaments of different artistic movements. The Museum's collection of liturgical utensils fully reflects the diversity of this art form — is the precious fabrics of the vestments, silver frameworks for icons and printed editions of spiritual content, as well as tabernacles, chalices, and more. They demonstrate the craftsmanship of the jewellery centres of Moscow, St.-Петербурга and Saratov. In addition, there are products of the old believers "mednits".

the Invention of the New time became Souvenirs of a religious nature, brought by pilgrims from the Holy places. The Museum collection has the products of the Kiev-Печерской laurels — wooden carved icons depicting revered saints of the Lavra, mother-of-pearl shells with biblical themes, imported from monasteries on mount Athos, miniature enamel products from Rostov the Great.

a Long time, Russian art history left on the periphery of his attention, the very existence of religious art of the XVIII — XIX centuries. Now with special interest investigated is the direction of Russian culture, focuses more specifically nourished his artistic processes and development characteristics are studied in forgotten monuments. Radischev Museum exhibits for the first time a number of works had long been in the storerooms. For carrying out this ambitious project, many of the exhibits were long-term restoration.

Source: radmuseumart.ru