History of Russia: The exhibition “Inextinguishable Light” to the 700th anniversary of Sergius of Radonezh in Saint-Petersburg

October 2, 2014 the Museum-Institute of the Roerich family (Saint-Petersburg) hosts the exhibition “Inextinguishable Light” dedicated to the deed of Saint Sergius of Radonezh and the images of Saint in Russian art. This year marks 700 years of the birth of Sergius of Radonezh, who truly became “inextinguishable light” for the Russian culture, as N. K. Roerich called him.

The exhibition dedicated to St. Sergius tells about the artistic embodiment of not only the life and deeds of the saint, but also the very idea of ​​spiritual enlightenment in the Russian culture. The image of St. Sergius of Radonezh attracted painters and artists of the successors of the academic school of painting, in the first place he had been approached by M. V. Nesterov and N. K. Roerich, it was reflected in Russian literature and philosophy. The exhibition includes rare icons of the Russian academic painting and graphic art from Russian museums, the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Museum of the History of Religion, the Museum-Estate "Abramtzevo", the A. V. Schusev State Museum of Architecture, the Foundation of St. Andrew the First Called, the Museum-Institute of the Roerich family. The exhibition is complemented with rare books from the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Viewers will see the painting “Saint Sergius” and the scenery with church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, located in America and the Himalayas by brush of N. K. Roerich; sketches for the painting "Vision of the boy Bartholomew" and sketches near the village Abramtzevo by artists of the Abramtsevo circle. The exhibition features icons of the XVI - XX centuries from the collection of Foundation of St. Andrew the First Called, and the project of the memorial church to Sergius of Radonezh on Kulikovo field by A. V. Schusev. The exhibits and the works of contemporary artists are also exhibited. 

The exhibition will run until March 29, 2014.