Russian Art at the Louvre

If you are interested in Russian Christian Art and happen to find yourself in Paris, you still have about two weeks to visit what appears to be a gorgeous exhibition at the Louvre of icons, manuscripts, garments, carvings, jewelry, etc... The exhibit began on March 5 and ends May 24. It covers the period from the initial conversion from paganism to Christianity in the 10th century, up to the time of Peter the Great. There are eight divisions: the conversion, the first Christian expansion, the time of the Mongols, the great centers of the Middle Ages, the emergence of Moscow, Moscow as the "Third Rome", the time of trouble, and from Michael Romanov to Peter the Great.

Above you see the 11th century document signed by the King of France, Philippe I, son of Henri I, in which he consents to the abbey of Saint-Crépin de Soissons. It is the only known document, where, under the monogram of the King, you can read the signature of the Queen, Anne of Kiev, written in Slavic characters. Anne was the second wife of Henri I and took the reins of government, as their son was only seven years old when Henri I died.

Below a striking icon of John the Baptist, from the 16th century.

H/T: Novopress