Tag Archives: Greek Icons

Trinity House: ICONS & IMPRESSIONISM

Russian Icons: Spirit and Beauty, Jan Morsink Ikonen at Trinity House, 50 Maddox Street, London W1, Saturday 22 November to Thursday 27 November 2014.

Annunciation, Russia, Stroganov, circa 1600, 31 x 26.5 cm ©

Annunciation, Russia, Stroganov, circa 1600, 31 x 26.5 cm
©

This is the second time that the Amsterdam-based icon experts Jan Morsink Ikonen will exhibit in London – regular readers may recall that I wrote about them last year.

Simon Morsink explains that for this year’s show, which is part of Russian Art Week, they “are showing excellent examples of the various schools’ high quality painting reflecting the deep spirituality and beauty of Russian and Greek orthodox art.”

Madre della Consolazione Veneto-Cretan, early 16th century, 26 x 20.5 cm ©

Madre della Consolazione Veneto-Cretan, early 16th century, 26 x 20.5 cm
©

Among the highlights is a rare pair of Russian Royal Doors, dating from the first half of the 17th century and from the Volga Region. These doors are the central two panels of an iconostasis, the screen between the nave and sanctuary. They are called ‘Royal’ because during the celebration of the liturgy it is believed that Jesus Christ, the King of Glory is carried through them in the form of the chalice with the body and blood of Christ. The Gospel is also proclaimed from them.

Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday: 2 pm – 6 pm, Monday to Thursday: 11 am – 6 pm

Royal Doors Russia, Volga Region, first half 17th century, 154.5 x 70 cm ©

Royal Doors Russia, Volga Region, first half 17th century, 154.5 x 70 cm
©

http://www.russianartweek.co.uk

http://www.morsink.com

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Impressionism: Spirit and Beauty, Trinity House, 50 Maddox Street, London W1, 22nd November to 6th December 2014.

 

Well-known as specialists in Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and 19th century works of art Trinity House is exhibiting these paintings alongside the Russian and Greek Icons mentioned above.

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841-1919) Portrait de Femme (Gabrielle Renard, 1912 Signed centre right Size: 51.4 x 41.3 cm (20¼” x 16 ¼”), 1912 ©

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841-1919)
Portrait de Femme (Gabrielle Renard, 1912
Signed centre right
Size: 51.4 x 41.3 cm (20¼” x 16 ¼”), 1912
©

The gallery’s Simon Mills says “The aim of this show is to juxtapose these two very diverse painterly styles to highlight how they can, in fact, work alongside one another in harmony. By displaying the two approaches to painting together, the viewer is better able to understand the qualities and active decision-making behind each style through observing the differences and merits found in each.”

GUSTAVE LOISEAU (1865-1935) Le Quatorze Julliet à Paris, 1925 Oil on canvas Size: 59.7 x 48.9 cm (23½” x 19¼”) Signed and dated lower right ©

GUSTAVE LOISEAU (1865-1935)
Le Quatorze Julliet à Paris, 1925
Oil on canvas
Size: 59.7 x 48.9 cm (23½” x 19¼”)
Signed and dated lower right
©

Among the pictures on view is a powerful charcoal drawing by Edgar Degas – Dancer (Préparation en dedans). Dating from around 1885, it was included in the 2011 Degas Exhibition at London’s Royal Academy.

HILAIRE-GERMAIN- EDGAR-DEGAS (1834 – 1917) Dancer (Préparation en dedans), c.1885 Charcoal on paper Size: 33.50 x 22.75 cm (13¼” x 9”) Inscribed by the artist and stamped ©

HILAIRE-GERMAIN- EDGAR-DEGAS (1834 – 1917)
Dancer (Préparation en dedans), c.1885
Charcoal on paper
Size: 33.50 x 22.75 cm (13¼” x 9”)
Inscribed by the artist and stamped
©

http://www.trinityhousepaintings.com

Russian and Greek Icons, Jan Morsink Ikonen at the Willow Gallery, London SW1

Russian and Greek Icons, Jan Morsink Ikonen at the Willow Gallery, 40 Duke Street, St. James’s, London SW1, 23- 29 November

 

This is a very special showing of sixty important Russian and Greek Icons dating from the 16th – 19th centuries.  Most of the icons on show come from private collections and they range from the small icons made for private devotion to large panels from iconostasis (the screen or wall, decorated with paintings and icons that, in a similar manner to the choir screens in English churches, separates the sanctuary from the nave in orthodox churches).  There is also a complete travelling iconostasis.

St Aleksei, Metropolitan of Moscow, Russia, Mount Athos Presented to Tsarevich Aleksei and dated 1904 on the reverse, 35.8 x 31 cm Price: £70,000

St Aleksei, Metropolitan of Moscow, Russia, Mount Athos
Presented to Tsarevich Aleksei and dated 1904 on the reverse, 35.8 x 31 cm
Price: £70,000

One of the highlights is a Russian icon that was a gift to the Tsarevich Aleksei (1904-1918) only shortly after it had been discovered that he was a haemophiliac.  Given in October 1904 on his first name day its Cyrillic inscription on the reverse reads This icon is presented on the first saint’s day to His Imperial Highness, the Heir Tsarevich and Grand Duke Aleksei Nicholaevich, and to commemorate the blessed foundation on this day of a church named for St Aleksei, Metropolitan of Moscow, in the Andrew Skete on Mount Athos, October 5th, 1904, St Petersburg – Painted and blessed on the Holy Mount Athos.

Of the current market for icons Simon Morsink says: “During the last twenty years the market for icons has changed dramatically, mainly due to the emergence of new collectors from Russia.  This is the first time that we have staged such an exhibition in London, and Russian Art Week provides an excellent platform for us to meet old and new clients and introduce collectors to the rich history and powerful presence of these extraordinary works.”