School of stylish images and ideas. The Tretyakov Gallery opened the exhibition "Masterpieces of Byzantium Icon of the Holy Matrona of Moscow

Free visit days at the museum

Every Wednesday, admission to the permanent exhibition "Art of the 20th Century" and temporary exhibitions in ( Crimean Val, 10) is free for visitors without a guided tour (except for the exhibition "Ilya Repin" and the project "Avant-garde in three dimensions: Goncharova and Malevich").

Right free admission expositions in the main building in Lavrushinsky Lane, the Engineering Building, the New Tretyakov Gallery, the house-museum of V.M. Vasnetsov, museum-apartment of A.M. Vasnetsov is provided on the following days for certain categories of citizens:

First and second Sunday of every month:

for students of higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation, regardless of the form of education (including foreign citizens-students of Russian universities, graduate students, adjuncts, residents, assistant trainees) upon presentation of a student card (does not apply to persons presenting student trainee cards) );

for students of secondary and secondary specialized educational institutions (from 18 years old) (citizens of Russia and CIS countries). On the first and second Sundays of each month, students holding ISIC cards have the right to visit the exhibition “Art of the 20th Century” at the New Tretyakov Gallery free of charge.

every Saturday - for members of large families (citizens of Russia and CIS countries).

Please note that conditions for free access to temporary exhibitions may vary. Check the exhibition pages for details.

Attention! At the ticket office of the Gallery, entrance tickets are provided with a face value of "free of charge" (upon presentation of the relevant documents - for the above-mentioned visitors). At the same time, all services of the Gallery, including excursion services, are paid in accordance with the established procedure.

Visiting the museum on public holidays

Dear visitors!

Please pay attention to the opening hours of the Tretyakov Gallery on holidays. The visit is paid.

Please note that entry with electronic tickets is carried out on a first-come, first-served basis. With return policy electronic tickets you can check on .

Congratulations on the upcoming holiday and we are waiting in the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery!

Right preferential visit The Gallery, except as provided for by a separate order of the Gallery's management, is provided upon presentation of documents confirming the right to preferential visits:

• pensioners (citizens of Russia and CIS countries),
• full cavaliers of the Order of Glory,
• students of secondary and secondary special educational institutions (from 18 years old),
• students of higher educational institutions of Russia, as well as foreign students studying in Russian universities (except for student trainees),
• members of large families (citizens of Russia and CIS countries).

Right of free admission The main and temporary expositions of the Gallery, except for cases provided for by a separate order of the Gallery's management, are provided for the following categories of citizens upon presentation of documents confirming the right to free admission:

• persons under the age of 18;
• students of faculties specializing in the field visual arts secondary specialized and higher educational institutions of Russia, regardless of the form of education (as well as foreign students students in Russian universities). The clause does not apply to persons presenting student cards of "trainee students" (in the absence of information about the faculty in the student card, certificate is provided from educational institution with the obligatory indication of the faculty);
• veterans and invalids of the Great Patriotic War, combatants, former underage prisoners of concentration camps, ghettos and other places of detention created by the Nazis and their allies during the Second World War, illegally repressed and rehabilitated citizens (citizens of Russia and the CIS countries);
• conscripts Russian Federation;
• Heroes Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, Full Cavaliers of the "Order of Glory" (citizens of Russia and CIS countries);
• disabled people of I and II groups, participants in the liquidation of the consequences of the disaster on Chernobyl nuclear power plant(citizens of Russia and CIS countries);
• one accompanying disabled person of group I (citizens of Russia and CIS countries);
• one accompanying disabled child (citizens of Russia and CIS countries);
• artists, architects, designers - members of the relevant creative Unions of Russia and its subjects, art historians - members of the Association of Art Critics of Russia and its subjects, members and employees Russian Academy arts;
• members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM);
• employees of museums of the system of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the relevant Departments of Culture, employees of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and ministries of culture of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation;
• museum volunteers - entrance to the exposition "Art of the XX century" (Krymsky Val, 10) and to the Museum-apartment of A.M. Vasnetsov (citizens of Russia);
• guide-interpreters who have an accreditation card of the Association of Guide-Translators and Tour Managers of Russia, including those accompanying a group of foreign tourists;
• one teacher of an educational institution and one accompanying a group of students of secondary and secondary specialized educational institutions (if there is an excursion voucher, subscription); one teacher of an educational institution that has state accreditation of educational activities when conducting an agreed training session and has a special badge (citizens of Russia and the CIS countries);
• one accompanying a group of students or a group of military servicemen (if there is an excursion voucher, subscription and during a training session) (citizens of Russia).

Visitors of the above categories of citizens receive an entrance ticket with a face value of "Free".

Please note that conditions for preferential admission to temporary exhibitions may vary. Check the exhibition pages for details.

WHAT WERE BRINGING: 18 works of art, including 12 icons.

Despite the rather small number of works (the exhibition occupied only one hall), the project fully justifies its name "Masterpieces of Byzantium". Almost every exhibit here is truly a masterpiece. Firstly, their antiquity is impressive - we can see here objects from the end of X to early XVI century. Secondly, they are all very beautiful and, as they say, excellent in their own way. artistic level. Surviving after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, carefully preserved during the Ottoman rule over Greece and neighboring Orthodox lands, now they are not only objects of worship or paintings, but also evidence of the tragedies of history.

A typical example is the 14th-century Crucifixion icon (with Hodegetria on the back) - one of the finest examples of Byzantine art of the Palaiologos era. Graceful subtle writing, pleasing to the eye harmony of gold and azure - and at the same time the faces of the saints have been barbarously destroyed.

WHERE: The Athenian Byzantine and Christian Museum shared its exhibits with Moscow.

It, alas, is known only to connoisseurs, and tourists who come to Athens for ancient art often forget about it. However, it is one of the most interesting museums in the city. Founded in 1914, it was originally housed in a small villa once owned by socialite, the wife of a Napoleonic officer, the Duchess of Piacenza. By the end of the 20th century, the mansion, which stood in the middle of a luxurious park, clearly no longer contained all the huge collections of the Byzantine Museum. By the 2004 Olympics, the museum was opened after reconstruction - under the lawns and flower beds of the park, in the thickness of the earth, there were three underground floors, while the mansion remained untouched on the surface. The colossal underground space is filled with sacred art of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period. And its visitors will probably not notice that some things have flown to Moscow.

However, the absence of permanent exhibition the famous "St. George" of the XIII century will clearly catch the eye of visitors to the Athens Museum. This unusual icon is made in relief technique. Orthodox artists usually did not do this, but this work was created during the Crusades, under the influence of Western European masters. But the frame is familiar, canonical - from brands.

Another important exhibit of the exhibition, by the way, placed by the curators in the most spectacular place in the hall, is a large-scale icon of Our Lady of Kardiotissa. This epithet is translated from Greek as "Heart" and is a variant of the iconography of "Glykophilus" ("Sweet kiss"). When you look at the masterpiece, you understand that this canon of the image received such tender nicknames not in vain: the Baby so affectionately pulls his hands to the Mother, so sweetly presses his cheek against her that you almost forget that in front of us is an object of worship, and not a sketch from life . The name of the icon painter has also been preserved (this is not very common for Rus', but the Greek masters often signed their works). Angelos Akotantos lived and worked in Crete, which at that time was under the rule of the Venetian Republic. He is considered one of the most important Greek painters of the 15th century.

Probably, from the Constantinople workshops of the late 14th-early 15th century comes an icon that will be of interest to all owners of the popular name “Marina” in Russia. The fact is that St. Marina of Antioch is rarely depicted in traditional Orthodox art. The late Paleolog icon, in which the saint appears in a bright red maphoria and with a crucifix (a symbol of martyrdom) in her hand, comes from the church of St. Gerasimos in Argostolion on the island of Kefalonia and is one of the oldest surviving images of the great martyr.

OTHER MEETINGS: in addition to this museum, Greek private collectors took part in the exhibition in Moscow. You understand, to see things from such collections is a unique chance.

From the collection of E. Velimesis - H. Margaritis comes a small but very exquisite icon "John the Baptist Angel of the Desert" of the 16th century. This plot is also familiar to Russian icon painting - John the Baptist is depicted with wings, his own severed head lies on a dish at his feet, and on the other side an ax is stuck between the trees. However, the subtlety and harmony of writing will suggest that this beauty comes from those lands where the icon-painting tradition, founded in Byzantine icon-painting workshops, has not disappeared for centuries.

From the Benaki Museum in Athens, founded in 1930 by the millionaire Emmanuel Benakis, the oldest piece of the exhibition arrived - a silver processional cross created at the end of the 10th century. Fine engravings of figures of Christ and saints can be seen on this double-sided piece of jewelry. In addition to John Chrysostom, Basil the Great and other popular saints, a rare saint, Sisinius, is depicted on the cross. From the inscription on the hilt it is known that he was the patron saint of the customer of this cross.

PLACE: the exhibition is located in the main building of the Tretyakov Gallery in hall number 38 (usually Malyavin and the Union of Russian Artists). The curators of the exhibition especially emphasize that in the neighboring halls there is a permanent exhibition ancient Russian art. And, having enjoyed the Athens exhibition, it is worth taking two steps and seeing what they were doing at the same time in the northern corner of the Orthodox lands.

TICKETS: no need to buy in advance. The exhibition takes place in the hall, located among the permanent exhibition, and to get to it, you just need to buy a regular entrance ticket to the museum. Good news for those who are tired of besieging the site with online ticket sales for an exhibition of masterpieces from the Vatican in the nearby Engineering Building (which was recently extended until March 1).

Back in school we were taught not to take things seriously religious art. Well, what is there - they did not know the perspective, they could not realistically depict a person and so on. Dyakon Kuraev, in his lecture on icon painting, recalls fun facts about the Soviet idea of ​​icons.

I discovered Russian icons in the Tretyakov Gallery. I think if the right to painting is recognized only for realism, it is impossible to appreciate the beauty of the icon.

Upon closer examination, icons turned out to be a completely new art for me. Moreover, it is absolutely self-sufficient on the one hand and simple on the other.

Russian icon painting, a bit of history.

Russian (Byzantine) icon appeared on the wreckage ancient art. By the 9th century, after a period of iconoclasm, the ancient tradition in the east had ceased to exist. A completely new art appeared, far from the ancient tradition - icon painting. It originated in Byzantium and continued to develop in Russia.

However, with the acquaintance of Russia with Western European art, although icon painting continued to exist, it was no longer considered the limit of perfection. The Russian elite fell in love with baroque and realism.

In addition, icons in the Middle Ages were covered with drying oil for preservation. And she darkened over time. In addition, often a new image was superimposed on top of the old image. More often icons were hidden in salaries. As a result, it turned out that most of the icons were hidden from view.

Old Russian art was rediscovered in late XIX century, and at the beginning of the 20th century experienced real recognition.

This was the period when people began to show interest in the ancient national art and the technique of restoration appeared. Opened I world as a result of the restoration of images that shocked contemporaries.

Perhaps this is what gave impetus to the development of Russian abstract art. The same Henri Matisse, examining the collection of Novgorod art in 1911, said: “ french artists should go to study in Russia: Italy gives less in this area.

Images of the Mother of God

One of the greatest Byzantine icons exhibited in the Tretyakov Gallery is the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God.

It was created in Byzantium and came to Russian soil in the 12th century. Then Prince Vladimir Andrey Bogolyubsky built for her

The image of the Mother of God with the baby clinging to her belongs to the type of the Tenderness icon. Such images began to spread in Byzantine and Russian art in the 11th-12th centuries. Then there appeared "Canon for the Lamentation of the Most Holy Theotokos". In Western tradition it is called Stabat mater.

“About your terrible and strange Christmas, My Son, more than all mothers, the former Az was exalted: but alas for Me, now seeing You on a tree, I break apart in the womb.

Glory: I see My womb in my arms, in them I hold the Child, from the tree, accept, pure things: but no one, alas, will give this to me.

And now: Behold, My Light, sweet, Hope and My Good Life, My God has died away on the Cross, I break apart in the womb, Virgin, groaning, saying.

The image of the Mother of God with the Child in the “Tenderness” type reinforces the text of the canon.

Another beautiful icon on the same theme of “tenderness” is the Don Mother of God Theophanes the Greek, also located in the Tretyakov Gallery.

More ancient image the Mother of God can also be seen in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

This icon is called Orant A. There are many similar images in the catacombs and early Christian churches. Here the main meaning is given to the descent to earth of the son of God through the Mother of God. In this interpretation, Mary is the "gate of light" through which grace comes into the world. In other words, the pregnant Mother of God is depicted here.

Images of the Holy Trinity

Another icon that no generation of those who have seen it admires is the trinity of Andrei Rublev. To understand and appreciate the beauty of this work, I also propose to plunge into the history of the issue.

The trinity: father, son and holy spirit was still in the Hellenic tradition - the cult of the god Dionysus. I don’t know whether it migrated to Christianity from there, or from somewhere from the east, but this idea is much older than the New Testament and the creed.

The New Testament trinity (God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) could not be depicted in the Orthodox tradition. This would be contrary to the concept of an eternal, incomprehensible and triune God: " No one has ever seen God". You can only depict the Old Testament trinity.

To be fair, despite the canonical ban, imagesNew Testament Trinitywidespread to this day. Although the definition Great Moscow Cathedral 1667 such images prohibited.

In the Catholic tradition, the New Testament trinity was often depicted.

The image of the Old Testament trinity was based on the legend of Abraham.

The book of Genesis describes an episode when God appears to Abraham in the form of three angels.

“And the Lord appeared to him at the oaks of Mamre, when he was sitting at the entrance to the tent, during the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood before him. Seeing, he ran towards them from the entrance to the tent and bowed to the ground, and said: Master! if I have found favor in Your sight, do not pass by Your servant; and they will bring some water and wash your feet; and rest under this tree, and I will bring bread, and you will refresh your hearts; then go; for you are passing by your servant... And he took butter and milk and a calf cooked, and set it before them, while he himself stood beside them under a tree. And they ate” (Gen. 18:1-8)

It is this plot that is depicted as the Holy Trinity, it is also called "hospitality of Abraham."

In early images, this story was depicted with maximum detail: Abraham, his wife Sarah, an oak tree, Abraham's chambers, a servant slaughtering a calf. Later, the historical plan of the image was completely replaced by the symbolic one.

There is nothing superfluous in Andrei Rublev's Trinity. Only three angels who are perceived as one. Their figures form a vicious circle. It was the Rublev Trinity that became the canonical image and served as an example for subsequent generations of icon painters.

Methods and techniques of icon painting, reverse perspective

For a correct understanding of icon painting, one must keep in mind that icon painters did not seek to depict reality. They had another task - to depict the divine world. This is where the techniques that are not characteristic of realistic painting come from.

An example is the use of reverse perspective. (This is when the lines to the horizon do not converge, but diverge).

However, this was not always used, but only when the artist wanted to emphasize the special proximity of the object to us. Parallel perspective is also used in the icon - when the lines do not converge on the horizon, but run parallel.

An interesting icon of the workshop of Theophan the Greek "Transfiguration".

It also depicts events taking place at different times.

I love this icon very much, it's hard for me to tear myself away from it.

Here is depicted the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. Divine light emanates from Jesus, the apostles Peter, James and John the Theologian fell down below. Above the prophets Moses and Elijah. Above them, the angels who bring them to this place. Under the mountain of a group of apostles, one group goes up the mountain, the other goes down the mountain. These are the same apostles depicted at different times.

What can you see in one of the main museums in Moscow with only an hour? Quick guide through the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery in Lavrushinsky Lane.

In the Tretyakov Gallery near the painting by Alexander Ivanov "The Appearance of Christ to the People". Natalia Volkova / photo bank "Lori"

Correct location

To get started, determine the exact address: Tretyakov Gallery is a large museum that has many buildings and branches. The main building, where the collection of Russian art until the beginning of the 20th century is located, is located at Lavrushinsky lane, 10; in the next house - the Engineering building - temporary exhibitions are held, lectures are given. To see the art of the XX-XXI centuries, you will have to go to a completely different area of ​​Moscow, to Krymsky Val, 10. Do not mix it up! Many other branches, including the Vasnetsov House and Golubkina's workshop, are scattered throughout the capital.

First floor

Second floor

Right time

Opening hours and days off, of course, can be specified on the website. But also don't forget to check if they are going now school break(autumn or spring, it’s hard to forget about winter ones). On vacation days, the halls of the museum can be full of noisy school trips. What's good - in the main building of the Tretyakov Gallery in Lavrushinsky Lane, hype exhibitions are extremely rarely held (there is no place for them), so you can not be afraid of a line in the style of " on Serov".

Stock up on a map

Since you are limited in time, we cross out the pleasure of an aimless walk through the enfilades of halls. It is necessary to clearly outline the goal and lay a route to it. In addition to paper guides, you can use the map of the halls on the museum's website or use the virtual museum technology.

In the Tretyakov Gallery. In front of the painting by Vasily Surikov "Boyar Morozova". Natalia Volkova / photo bank "Lori"

Stock up on a list of masterpieces

Decide which period of art you are most interested in: this building of the Tretyakov Gallery contains almost the entire history, from the Baptism of Rus' to the Revolution. You can spend a whole hour on Serov, or on the Wanderers, or on the Silver Age.

If you want to quickly look at the main masterpieces, then here sample list mandatory. The list is short, because the masterpieces are scattered over two floors and different halls, which will take just an hour to cross, because you will surely be distracted by all kinds of beauty along the way.

Ground floor: Rublev's "Trinity" (room 59)

One of the main Russian icons is located at the end of the suite of icon-painting halls, in the Andrey Rublev Hall. By the way, another shrine - the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God - is also located in Lavrushinsky Lane, but in a different building, in the current Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, which adjoins the Engineering Building from the end.

First floor: "Girl with peaches" (hall number 40)

The famous portrait by Serov is exhibited in the halls dedicated to art Silver Age on the same ground floor as the icon painting. Also on this floor are the halls of Levitan, Polenov and Nesterov, so it is rather difficult to understand the logic of the exposition location. Serov has two halls in the gallery.

Second floor: "The Appearance of Christ to the People" (Hall No. 10)

Alexander Ivanov's masterpiece hangs in its own room among numerous sketches dedicated to him. Tour guides warn: be careful, this is one of those paintings in front of which people in this museum especially often faint.

Second floor: "Morning in a pine forest" (hall number 25)

A landscape with cubs can be found in the hall dedicated to Shishkin's work. Don't miss it - the canvas is not that big. By the way, only in a museum can one appreciate the true scale of the works that we are used to seeing on screens and in books.

Second floor: "Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on November 16, 1581" (room No. 31)

Repin's painting is in the hall dedicated to the work of this artist. This is another picture that has a strong influence on the psyche. Therefore, to come to your senses, be sure to look into the museum shop on the ground floor, next to the ticket office. In the Tretyakov Gallery, he is good: reproductions, postcards, notebooks, magnets and, of course, catalogs.