"Mother of God of Kazan in the silver basma."
17th century. Moscow. Armouries. Icon workshop at the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin.Most likely authorship is Simon Ushakov. Tsar icon painter, organizer and leader of the Kremlin art.
Size: 31 X 36 cm.
Technique & Material: Wooden board with ark, egg tempera, gold leaf. Basma: silver of the 84 sample.
Description: This object has a completely unique historical, cultural and antiquarian artistic significance.
The restoration and conservation of this icon was made in 1988 in the State Museum of Kadriorg.
The head of this restoration is the head of the department of conservation and restoration of the museum - Alexander Yuryev.
A.Yuryev - is considered to be one of the most knowledgeable and experienced socialists in Estonia and Russia in its field with more than 50 years of experience in the science of icons, museum work in restoration and conservation.
He is a friend of our family. A. Yurjev together with my father Dmitri, with the great artist Ilya Glazunov and with the writer Vladimir Soloukhin were the first in the USSR in the late 60s of the 20th century, who began to study and collect icons. They were going on an expedition for icons to remote (far away) areas, gathering information about the clearing of ancient images and so on. Later, Vladimir Soloukhin wrote his famous work "Black boards", narrating about their adventures and discoveries and about the passion that rages in the soul of the icons collector.
What was done with this icon in the museum laboratory of conservation-restoration?
In fact, there was only gentle cleansing and preventive strengthening-conservation. From the face layer of the icon there was removed soot and smoke, however it is very important, without removing the original author layer of the original drying oil. Thus, this icon is completely in the original state of preservation.
Even in the environment of the clergy, the icons that were not opened by the restorer from the original drying oil, are distinguished by calling them "icons under the grace." However, this is possible only if the drying oil does not darken, which happens extremely rarely. Usually the ancient icon has a very dark varnish, that's why V.Soloukhin's book is called "Black boards". The quality, "amber" and coating varnish with the excellent quality, which remains transparent, is another feature of the Kremlin icons. Masters owned the secret of cooking drying oil, which does not darken for centuries. This quality is very rare in other schools of icon painting. In this case it is almost 400 years old.
History: This icon was never published. Only once it was participated in an exhibition in the Russian Museum, dedicated to the legacy of the Armory Chamber.
With regard to this icon negotiations were held for the sale of it to the Russian Museum.They wanted to have the "diamond" - an example of a really "royal icon", the authorship of Simon Ushakov or Cyril Ulanov in the exhibition of elite icons of Moscow of the 17th century the school of the Armory Chamber.
Negotiations were conducted but unfortunately the museum funds to date, do not allow them to acquire this icon despite the great desire and mutual understanding from our side.
Thus, now this icon is again in the fund of our gallery and it can also be purchased by the private person.
This family icon came to us almost by accident from a noble, Russian family, which the Will of Destiny threw into Estonia after the revolution. The icon is accompanied by a long letter about the history of this family.
Storage conditions:
Since the icon is ancient, it is advisable to observe some simple storage conditions relating to the level of temperature, humidity, and lighting, which we will gladly provide to the new owner.
This object has a completely unique historical, cultural and antiquarian artistic significance.
Detailed provenance, art analysis and conclusions of the commission of experts-restorers upon request.
High Resolution Images: fragments.
Price: Exposition Only!
Казанская Богородица, Оружейная палата.
17-ый век. Москва..
Размер: 31 X 36 cm.
Дерево,темпера яичная , золото сусальное.
High Resolution Images: fragments.
Цена: Только экспозиция!