22.06.2023 A new exhibition "Icon Chamber" was opened at the Narva Museum Art Gallery.

The exhibition includes icons from the 17th century to the early 20th century, which have come to the museum by very different routes. There are icons confiscated at customs and taken away from Narva customs when they were attempting to cross the border illegally; icons evacuated from Narva to Rakvere during the Second World War; and sacred artefacts saved from destruction during the Soviet era.

What makes the exhibition so special is that outstanding examples of icon art and rare iconography are juxtaposed with simpler icons made further away from the major icon painting centres. Such icons have a special value today and are usually found in private collections. Of particular note are the cast icons and crosses made in Old Believers' workshops and decorated with enamel, as well as the large two-sided altar cross, similar to those found in Estonian Orthodox churches in the last quarter of the 19th century.

Andrei and Orest Kormashov, artists, restorers and collectors from Tallinn, are the curators and designers of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open at the Narva Museum Art Gallery (Vestervalli 21) from 28 June.