History of Russia: Arkhangelsk stages an exhibition of artistic heritage of Kholmogor Land

On June 24, 2011 Arkhangelsk Museum of Fine Arts staged an exhibition of artistic heritage of Kholmogor land – the birthplace of Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765). The exposition marks 300th birthday anniversary of the prominent Russian scientist-innovator.

Organizers of the exhibition “Heritage of Kholmogor Land of 16th–19th cc. at Arkhangelsk Oblast museums” say it puts on display over 180 works of art dated between 16th–19th cc., which reveal the richest culture of Severnaya Dvina Basin and originate from the collections of Arkhangelsk Oblast museums, and also include items from church-archaeological museums and Kholmogor and Novodvinsk Orthodox parishes and the Monastery of St. Anthony of Siya.

“Collections of Arkhangelsk museums enable to fully reveal artistic heritage of Kholmogor land. They keep old icons and wooden sculpture; religious items of worship made of fabric, wood, ferrous metals, manuscripts and printed old books, items of Kholmogor bone-carving craft”, said the exhibition’s curator, Doctor of Art Tatyana Koltsova.

Kholmogory – is the northernmost administrative and cultural center of the old Russia, which since 16th century had boasted its flourishing art of painting, sculpture, book design. Kholmogor land was famous for various crafts: here were produced items from wood, bone, copper and tin, ceramics. Kholmogor trading quarter became the uniting center of painting of Pomorye, where numerous icon-painting artels operated.

The exhibition in Arkhangelsk has been co-organized by I. E. Grabar All-Russian Art, Scientific and Restoration Centre. Many of exhibits have been put on display for the first time after the restoration.