From the Curator ’ s Desk
The exhibition Icons from the Hellenic World has had a very successful run and continues until October 21 , so don ’ t miss your chance to see these beautiful Greek artifacts . The show , taken from the extensive collection of Argie and Emmanuel Tililiakos , is an opportunity to look at the very origins of icons . By presenting these contextual exhibitions , the Museum invites our visitors to consider the broader meaning of our own magnificent collections .
In that same spirit , we present Corn Cobs to Cosmonauts : Redefining the Holidays During the Soviet Era , with an opening reception for families on November 8 . Soviet period ornaments , children ’ s toys , and books , donated to the Museum by Professor Franklin Sciacca , will set the stage for understanding the daily life of children during the Cold War . This Soviet material will illustrate the extent of anti-religious propaganda during this time .
In early 2019 we ’ ll exhibit a small collection of anti-religion teaching cards used in schools during the Soviet era . This rare set of cards comes to us from the Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester .
We continue to collaborate with other institutions and private collectors to build exciting and thought-provoking exhibitions that bring to life the Russian world in all its complexity and texture .
Kent Russell , CEO / Curator
Part of the liturgical set that will be on display at the Museum beginning October 19 .
Opulence Rediscovered :
The Romanov ’ s Liturgical Silver Curated by Dmitry Gurevich and Vladimir Kasykin
October 19 , 2018 - January 13 , 2019
The Museum is pleased to exhibit an opulent set of silver Orthodox liturgical implements , in the Neo-Byzantine style , which was part of the dowry of the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna ( 1853 – 1920 ), daughter of the Russian Emperor Alexander II . In 1874 , the Grand Duchess married Prince Alfred , Duke of Edinburgh , the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha ; she was the first and only Romanov to marry into the British royal family .
The original set had 23 pieces and was created for he Grand Duchess ’ s Orthodox house chapel in one of the British royal residences — the Clarence House in London . Commissioned by the Cabinet to the Russian Imperial Court , the set was created by one of the leading purveyors , the Saint Petersburg firm of Nicholls & Plincke , known as Magazin Anglais . Based on designs by the Imperial Court architect , Professor David Grimm , it was distinguished by the subtlety and elegance of its artistic execution .
This exhibition will be the first public showing of the set in over 50 years and coincides with the 200th anniversary of birth of Alexander II , the 165th anniversary of the birth of his daughter , the Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna , and will take place exactly 140 years since the set was installed in Clarence House in London 1878 .
Opening Reception :
Friday , October 19 , 6:00-8:00pm Members free , Nonmembers $ 15 Kindly RSVP by Tuesday , October 16 , Call 978.598.5000 x121
Join us for wine and hors d ’ oeuvres and a short talk by Russian decorative arts expert Dmitry Gurevich about the fascinating history of this set of liturgical implements .
2 | FALL 2018