The State Tretyakov Gallery is preparing to stage an exhibition titled Life and Miracle, scheduled to open on April 19, according to the Moscow agency and its press service. The presentation will bring together XIV–XIX century icons drawn from a private collection, offering a focused view of hagiographic works that emphasize the life events and miracles associated with saints as depicted in their icons, alongside the saints themselves. The press service notes that a substantial portion of the display centers on scenes from the saints lives, illustrating not only the miracles attributed to them but also the key moments that define their historical biographies. (Agency Moscow)
Among the highlights are paintings attributed to the Prophet Elijah, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Great Martyrs George, Demetrius, and Nikita, as well as Martyrs Paraskeva, Barbara, and Anastasia. The exhibition will also present extremely rare pieces associated with St. Tikhon of Amaphunte and the celebrated Byzantine hymn writer St. Joseph the Songwriter, along with martyrs Victor and Boniface, among others. These works promise a rare opportunity to trace the stylistic and devotional evolution of icon painting across several centuries. (Agency Moscow)
A distinct section of the show will expand the display of miraculous icons of the Mother of God by adding narrative legends that accompany these images. This storytelling tradition, deeply woven into Russian cultural practice from the late medieval period through modern times, helps visitors connect the sacred images with the broader mythic and communal life surrounding them. (Agency Moscow)
Earlier reports indicated that the Tretyakov Gallery would also unveil previously unknown works by Kandinsky and Venetsianov, highlighting the institution’s ongoing commitment to presenting both canonical icons and discoveries from Russia’s rich artistic landscape. (Agency Moscow)