September 10, 2011 — December 31, 2011
Windows to Heaven: Treasures from the Museum of Russian Icons
Kazan Mother of God, circa 1840
This exhibition brings together a grouping of historically significant Russian icons dating from 1590 to the present. Saints, The Mother of God, St. Nicholas, The Resurrection Feast, and The Dormition, are well represented in this collection from the Museum of Russian Icons. The exhibition content addresses the historical background in which these icons were created, the definition of an icon, the process involved with creating icons, including the 21st century process, and the historical background of systematic destruction of holy images known as iconoclasm. Russian history and culture are interwoven throughout the exhibition.
Feodorovskaya Mother of God, circa 1850The word Icon is derived from the Greek word eikon, meaning an image, portrait or likeness. An icon is a likeness of a divine, heavenly appearance, and worshipers pray not to the icons themselves, but through them. An iconographer did not sign icons, since they are painted not for personal glory, but for the glory of god. The images are distinct from religious art as seen in the Renaissance; however, they are not less well executed, but employ a completely different convention of painting, a completely different artistic language.
Saint Paraskeva, 2002
The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, MA and tour management is by Smith Kramer Fine Arts Services, Kansas City, MO. The exhibition runs through December 31 and is sponsored by the Arts and Heritage Fund of Knoxville, Aletha and Clayton Brodine Museum Fund, UTK Ready for the World Initiative, Dorothy and Caesar Stair in honor of the East Tennessee Icon Guild, and Mercy Health Partners.