Church leadership in partnership with museum authorities has outlined a clear plan to safeguard the celebrated Trinity icon from the Tretyakov Gallery, a work donated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Officials emphasize that the collaboration between ecclesiastical leaders and museum professionals is essential to preserve this masterpiece for future generations. The statements come from Archbishop Leonid Kalinin, who chairs the Expert Council on Church Art, Architecture and Restoration, and he conveyed the plan in a frank interview with a major Russian news outlet. He stressed that the image is in a fragile state and will require extensive restoration work to restore its former vitality. He also proposed that the icon be housed in a purpose built display case that allows public viewing while maintaining its safety within a church setting. In addition, Kalinin suggested constructing a protective capsule with an inert atmosphere at Sergiev Posad so the Trinity can be kept under controlled conditions. The space would shield the artwork from potential damage, fungal growth, and environmental fluctuations in temperature and humidity, ensuring long term preservation.
The abbot highlighted the importance of minimizing any physical motion that could affect the painting. He noted that the current condition shows peeling paint along the base layer, making restoration increasingly challenging. Transport and handling during relocation could aggravate the risk, so careful planning is essential to avoid further deterioration. Timing and sequence of restoration work will be critical elements of the overall preservation strategy, aiming to balance accessibility with protection.
Initially, a decision by the head of state signaled a trajectory for the icon. On May 15, the Russian president announced the return of the Trinity icon to the Russian Orthodox Church. The plan envisions public worship of the icon at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow for a period of one year. After this period, the icon would be relocated to a permanent, historic setting at the Trinity Cathedral within the Holy Trinity Saint Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, located in the Moscow region. Since 1929, the Trinity had been part of the Tretyakov Gallery collection, making this move a significant cultural and religious event.
Elizaveta Likhacheva, who later became the director of the Pushkin Museum, offered a perspective on the transfer. She cautioned that moving the Holy Trinity from the Tretyakov Gallery to a church institution could carry risks and potentially affect the long term integrity of the work. Her view reflects a concern shared by several curators and preservationists about balancing public access with the vesting of the icon in a sacred setting.