Memorable Dates of Russia: State Hermitage Museum launched the exhibition "Alexander Nevsky, Prince and Saint: Imagery and Symbolism" marking the 800th anniversary of the Prince

The State Hermitage Museum launched the exhibition "Alexander Nevsky, Prince and Saint: Imagery and Symbolism" marking the 800th anniversary of the Prince.

The exposition in the halls of the Winter Palace features about 200 exhibits of the XIII–XXI centuries from the museum collections. It highlights the main events in the life of Alexander Nevsky and his significance for Russian history.

The exhibition showcases a wooden shrine of the late XVII century, in which the relics of Alexander Nevsky were carried to St. Petersburg. It was in a silver reliquary, which is part of a monumental silver set. A unique set made from the first silver found in Russia is the centrepiece of the exposition. It includes a reliquary, two decorative groups of military trophies, two-level candlesticks and a big five-level pyramid. This set is extremely significant for Russian culture. It was ordered by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who continued the deeds of her father, in 1746–1752. The authors of the project are the royal artists George Grooth and Luis Caravaque. This order employed dozens of silversmiths and carvers of that time. The reliquary's decoration features the fancy patterns with scenes from the life of Alexander Nevsky and dedications by Mikhail Lomonosov. All patterns are in decorative frames typical for the Baroque style. This set displayed all the principal ideas of Elizaveta Petrovna's reign: devotion to her father's doctrines, strengthening of Russia's international positions, development of the country's internal resources, improvement of scientific knowledge and reform of Russian poetry. Thus, the reliquary of Alexander Nevsky is a unique monument of Russian statehood.

The exhibition pays particular attention to the development and changes in the iconography of Saint Alexander Nevsky. The exposition features various images of the Saint reflected in icons, graphic works and enamel items of the XVIII-XIX centuries.

The exhibition includes memorial things with the image of Saint Alexander Nevsky, which previously belonged to several generations of the House of Romanov. There are precious folding icons, made by order of the Vladimir nobility as the present to Alexander III and Maria Fyodorovna on the coronation day on May 15, 1883. It also demonstrates an icon in an embroidered frame with figures of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, created for the silver wedding of the imperial couple.

A major part of the exposition is devoted to the Order of Alexander Nevsky, awarded for the first time in 1725. This section includes not only the order and its different kinds but also engraved and painted images of its cavaliers in the proper clothes. The exhibition comprises the ceremonial Alexander service, commissioned by Catherine II at the Gardner private porcelain factory in 1778–1780 and supplied with items by the Imperial Porcelain Factory in the XIX century.

After the October Revolution of 1917, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was cancelled. It was re-established during the Great Patriotic War. The winner of the Battle of the Neva and the Battle on the Ice became one of the national symbols of Russia. He was honoured as a hero and a great commander.

Now, the Order of Alexander Nevsky again enters the state award system of the Russian Federation. It is bestowed to those who have achieved special personal merit in nation-building, strengthening the international prestige of Russia, the country's defence, economic development, science, education, culture and health care. The exhibition features the Order of Alexander Nevsky, awarded to Mikhail Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage, and Georgy Vilinbakhov, the Deputy Director for Scientific Work.

The exposition also includes works of the middle of the XX - beginning of the XXI century, which reveal the significance of the figure of Alexander Nevsky in the modern history of Russia: medals, porcelain items, souvenir badges. The prince, who had not lost a single battle, is still perceived as an outstanding defender of the Fatherland, the guardian of the intensity of the faith of the Russian people.