Biblical motifs in the works of artists at the "Legacy for the Future" exposition
At the
National Centre RUSSIA, visitors can see paintings by young Russian artists
depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The works "The Entombment" and
"The Magi," along with other paintings and sculptures featured in the
exposition "Legacy for the Future," will be available for viewing
through February 2.
The
painting "The Magi," created by a student of the Ilya Repin St.
Petersburg Academy of Arts, is part of a triptych that also includes the works
"Pilate" and "The Mourners." Artist Anna Blokhina turns to
Gospel themes for her graduation project. The main characters of her work are
the Magi, following the Star of Bethlehem to the newborn Messiah.
Like the
other paintings in the triptych, this work is dedicated to Christ but tells His
story without depicting Christ Himself. The artist conveys His greatness
through the portrayal of His followers and opponents.
While
"The Magi" focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, Grigory Ananyev’s
painting "The Entombment," as its title suggests, depicts one of the
most tragic events in Christian history. Thus, the exposition allows visitors
to trace the life of the Messiah from beginning to end.
The artist
strives to reflect the grandeur of the old masters in his work. His painting is
executed in a realistic style, with great attention given to the interplay of
light and shadow. The viewer sees Joseph of Arimathea carefully supporting
Christ while standing on the steps at the entrance to the tomb. Through the use
of light, the artist emphasizes the contrast between the aged face of the
living Joseph and the lifeless visage of the young Christ. The faces of the
mourning women, beautiful even in their sorrow, heighten the tragic atmosphere.
Even the shadows on the walls enhance the grief of the scene.
Let us remind you that the second floor of the National Centre RUSSIA will be temporarily closed to visitors as preparations for new expositions begin. However, the cultural, educational, and business programs will continue. All up-to-date information about the dates and locations of events can be found on the website in the "Events" section. Starting February, the expositions "Hall of Inventions" and "Legacy for the Future" will conclude their run. In March, after installation and updates, the National Centre will open two new expositions: one focused on architecture and another titled "Journey Across Russia."
