Museum of Russian Icons Summer 2019 Newsletter MoRI_SUMMER_2019_newsletter web | Page 2

From the
Curator’s Desk
Greetings from Clinton!
Summer is here and with it comes our
annual six-day intensive workshop led
by the Prosopon School of Iconology.
This extraordinary class is taught by
Vladislav Andrejev, a Russian native,
who founded this school after he
emigrated to the US in 1980. Over
the years, the school has developed a
recognizable “style” with a vibrant color
palette and a unique and intriguing
interpretation of Orthodox philosophy.
Prosopon icons are characterized by
layered glazes of egg-tempera paint
that build up the luminescent surface
of the icons. They are created entirely
in the traditional manner, rich in color
and delicate in treatment. Beginner
students start by painting an image of
Archangel Michael holding a translu-
cent orb. After six days of hard work in
the Museum’s auditorium, converted
into a summer art studio for the occa-
sion, students are amazed at the quality
of the icons produced under the tute-
lage of Master Andrejev.
This summer, visitors can witness the
stylistic evolution of the icon right here
within the walls of the Museum. We are
thrilled to be presenting the first-ever
exhibition of icons from the Prosopon
School entitled Wrestling with Angels.
The icons, painted by Vladislav and
WORKSHOP
Beyond the Classroom: A
Prosopon Workshop for
Aspiring Iconographers
with Iconographer
Maureen McCormick
EXHIBITION OPENING
Wrestling with Angels
Thursday, July 18, 5:00-7:00pm
Members Free, Nonmembers $15
Kindly RSVP by Friday, July 12.
Call 978.598.5000 or register online:
museumofrussianicons.org/event/
exhibition-opening
Come celebrate the opening of the
Museum's latest exhibition, Wrestling
with Angels: Icons from the Prosopon
School of Iconology and Iconography.
Be the first to see this stunning display
of 46 contemporary icons with your
fellow members and guests. Light
refreshments and wine will be served.
2 | SUMMER 2019
Friday, September 20 – Sunday,
September 22
Friday and Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
with 1 hour lunch
Sunday, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Members $350, Nonmembers $425
Preregistration required by Friday,
August 30, maximum of 12 students.
Call 978.598.5000
other master iconographers, instructors,
and apprentices, will be organized as
they would be in the Orthodox church.
Wrestling with Angels follows our spring
exhibition of Konstantin Simun’s sculp-
tures. Simun’s show engendered a lot
of conversation, as such a modern and
abstract exhibition was a departure for
us. These contemporary shows connect
us to new audiences while at the same
time reminding us of the link between
the present and the past.
I hope you enjoy the summer and find
time to visit the Museum often.
Warmly,
Kent Russell, CEO/Curator
This workshop is designed for those
who have completed at least one icon
with the Prosopon School of Iconology
and would like to continue building
their skills. Mastering the challenging
medium of egg tempera, as well as the
learning the “grammar” of iconogra-
phy, is like the old joke about how one
gets to Carnegie Hall: it takes practice,
practice, practice! Participants in the
workshop will work on studies designed
to help build basic skills. Topics to be
covered will include making egg tem-
pera, the rudiments of mixing pigments,
improving brush control, and painting
lines. All materials are provided.