The Holy Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev is scheduled to be returned to the storage facility of the State Tretyakov Gallery, specifically to the Department for the Scientific Restoration of Ancient Russian Paintings, by June 19 of this year. This directive comes from the gallery’s official press service, which confirmed the timeline as a procedural step tied to the ongoing curatorial and restoration workflow. The statement from the gallery emphasizes that the transfer deadline remains firm, and it is framed within the broader context of safeguarding the masterpiece during a period of intensive conservation planning and logistical coordination.
According to the press service, the deadline—June 19, 2023 in the document—represents the culmination of an agreed arrangement regarding the icon’s temporary placement. This agreement concerns the optimal positioning of the Holy Trinity within the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, balancing public display, security considerations, and the requirements of conservation specialists. The arrangement reflects a long‑standing practice in which the iconic work is temporarily relocated to accommodate restoration work and to ensure that viewing conditions and preservation standards meet current expectations for a cultural treasure of this stature.
Recent developments have disclosed that the Rublev icon was placed within a protective capsule in the central area of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior as part of a carefully managed exhibition and preservation protocol. The decision to stage the icon in this manner follows a public statement by church and state representatives, who described the arrangement as a temporary measure designed to protect the work while it remains under the care of national heritage custodians. The leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church and the highest state authorities remain aligned on a plan that envisages the icon’s return to its primary restoration and storage facility after the specified period, with a view toward subsequent, supervised reinstallation in a setting that honors both devotional significance and scholarly inquiry. The overarching objective is to ensure that the artifact receives continued expert scrutiny and preservation in facilities equipped to safeguard its material integrity and historical context. State Tretyakov Gallery press service
In summary, the transition of the Rublev Trinity between locations is understood as a coordinated phase within a broader program of conservation, display, and reverent custodianship. The timeline has been communicated as a fixed point intended to support ongoing restoration work and to maintain a stable schedule for curators, conservators, and church authorities. While public access to the work may be affected during the transfer window, the controlled environment and documented procedures are meant to preserve the artwork for future generations, ensuring that the icon remains a focal point for both religious devotion and scholarly study. The decision, publicly articulated by the gallery and compatible with the cathedral’s in-house conservation plan, reflects a consensus among cultural institutions on how best to manage a masterpiece of national significance for the long term.