«Ark» — Exhibition at the All-Russian Art Scientific and Restoration Center named after Igor Grabar

The exhibition is called «ARK» and is currently running in Moscow, on Radio Street, in the building of the All-Russian Art Scientific and Restoration Center named after Academician Igor Grabar (VKhNRts named after I.E. Grabar). The Ark is a place for storing relics and at the same time a symbol of salvation from biblical history. In the context of the exhibition, the image of the ark becomes a metaphor for all the activities of the Grabar Center. One of the main motifs of the Center, founded by Igor Grabar in 1918, was the idea of preserving the artistic heritage of Christian, primarily Orthodox, culture. The initiator of the Center's creation, as well as the domestic restoration school, was the famous art critic and art historian, author and editor of many fundamental publications, talented artist Igor Emmanuilovich Grabar. Symbolically, until 2006, the VKhNRts named after Academician Grabar was located in the Intercession Cathedral of the Martha-Mariinsky Convent. Later, the workshops received a new spacious home here, in a constructivist building from the early 20th century on Radio Street — the former Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) named after Professor N.E. Zhukovsky, which played a significant role in the development of domestic aviation. This architectural historical structure simultaneously resembles a sailing ship and a medieval basilica, and in itself acquires the meaning of an ark — a reliable shelter for the preserved and revived shrines. It is in this historical building that an exhibition of polychrome and wooden sculpture, tempera and oil painting, carved bone items, and antique textiles restored by the Center's staff is now open.

The works presented in the exposition have had difficult fates. Having gone through the most tragic episodes of national history, they received a second birth thanks to the skill of the restorers.

The exhibition opens with the sculptural composition «Christ in Prison» from the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve. An unknown master of the 19th century combines emotional expressiveness with the requirements of liturgical practice in the canonical image. (photo 1)

Photo 1: sculptural composition «Christ in Prison»

Unusual iconography and originality distinguish the icon painting of the northern regions of Russia — Vologda, Arkhangelsk, Solvychegodsk. The image of Saint Modestus, Archbishop of Jerusalem, serves as a vivid illustration of the decorative and applied art items presented in the exposition. (photo 2) The staff and cross in the saint's hands are almost identical to the attributes of church services created by skilled masters of Palestine, Jerusalem, Arkhangelsk Governorate. (photo 3)

Photo 2: Image of Saint Modestus, Archbishop of Jerusalem

Photo 3

Shrouds, aeras, clubs, medallions from the 17th-18th centuries, embroidered with gold threads and patterns, have been carefully restored by the hands of the textile workshop restorers. (photos 4, 5)

Key relics for national history, such as the legendary sword of Pskov Prince Dovmont, as well as the restoration process itself at the Grabar Center, can be seen at the exhibition thanks to interactive screens.

Photo 4

Photo 5

Striking impressions are made by the original photos of icons before and after restoration, which form the basis of the «Ark» exhibition. Among them are the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, an icon created at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries from the collection of the Novgorod Museum. (photos 6, 7)

Photo 6

Photo 7

As noted by the General Director of the VKhNRts named after Academician I.E. Grabar, Dmitry Sergeev: «Authentic exhibits from the collections of twelve state museums that underwent restoration at the Center create the image of the ark from biblical history — a reliable abode where shrines are preserved and revived. And our new exposition eloquently testifies to the consistent continuation by our Center of the mission that became the meaning of life of the outstanding artist and researcher of Russian art, Igor Emmanuilovich Grabar».