Exhibition Review “Piscator’s Bible, A Handbook of Russian Icon Painters” (The State Tretyakov Gallery, June 26 – October 6, 2019).

Abstract

The review talks about the exhibition dedicated to the artistic contacts of Russia and Western Europe, which played a crucial role in the transition of Russian culture from the Middle Ages to the New Time. The exhibition presents works of Russian art (icons, graphics, objects of decorative art) created from the middle of the 17th up to the beginning of the 19th century under the influence of “Biblical prints” published in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The largest of them is Theatrum biblicum by Claes Visscher (Nikolaus Piscator), a copy of which from the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery is also presented at the exhibition along with other illustrated Western editions known in Russia. The exhibition is the first experience of representing this topic in museum practice. Many works are exhibited for the first time [1].