presented in Moscow

"Known and Unknown" is the third exhibition in the series "Empire in Miniature". It presents a collection of miniature portraits of the "Battle of Borodino" Panorama Museum.

Most of the miniatures were created in the first half of the XIX century. They depict representatives of the Russian "noble class" - from the emperor to the modest officer. Such a variety is no accident. The early XIX century was the blossom of Russian portrait miniature (especially during the Napoleonic wars).

Historians note that during the reign of Emperor Alexander I "the number of miniatures exceeds by ten times everything that was done before and after".

The exhibition also features the miniature portraits that are still unnamed. Their number could be much more. The hard work of historians and art critics allows attributing the "portraits of the unknown". Their work often resembles a detective investigation.

Each miniature is a delicate and fragile piece of art that requires extreme care. They are showcased only at temporary exhibitions with limited time.