The Museum of Russian Icons Summer 2017 Newsletter MORI_summer_2017_NL

NEWS
from the
MUSEUM OF RUSSIAN ICONS
Summer 2017
FANTASTIC
BEASTS
in ICONOGRAPHY
Now through September 24, 2017
his family-friendly exhibition of over
50 icons and artifacts, five dragon
sculptures, and one jackalope explores
the types of natural and unnatural
creatures in iconography, along with
their origins, symbolism, and stories.
For thousands of years, animals have appeared in art
and in literature as symbols to help tell a story or to
teach a moral lesson. Lists called bestiaries cataloged
animals, along with illustrations and information
about their characteristics and their symbolic
meaning. Bestiaries were popular from the 1st
century CE through the medieval period. These
volumes ensured consistency in the way animals
were portrayed in art. Though we now know that
some of the creatures recorded in bestiaries are
imaginary, all of those catalogued were believed to
be real at the time. In Christian art, many animals
had special symbolism related to the Bible. Their
depiction was one way that Christian beliefs could
be portrayed secretly during times of persecution.
HERE BE DRAGONS
The Greek word δράκων [drakon] translates
as “huge serpent” but can also mean dragon.
Both beasts are mentioned in the Bible, and
are considered synonymous with wickedness,
immorality, and Satan. Sculptor Hilary Scott’s five
enormous dragon-heads loom over the Fantastic
Beasts exhibition. His diverse interpretations allow
us to explore dragon-lore in several cultures. Learn
more about Hilary’s work at eclecticsculpture.com.
203 Union Street, Clinton, MA 01510