Only the privileged (MFM readers included) know about the Russian icons in the Uffizi Museum in Florence, the oldest existing collection of Russian icons outside the Orthodox world. Thanks to the exhibition The Collection of Russian icons in the Uffizi, this secret treasure will be displayed from 20th December 2014 to 1st February 2015. Among the 81 icons showcased for the first time by Florentine Galleries, there are two precious and ancient representations depicting the Virgin Mary and the Beheading of John the Baptist.  The silver core, greatly preserved, used to adorn every single piece since 1600, making them suitable to the taste of the ancient and noble Florentine family Medici, who wanted them to decorate Palazzo Pitti.How this Collection came to Florence centuries ago is still a mystery. An inscription leads to suggest a link with the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity of Livornoat the times of  Francesco Stephen of Lorraine.The stylistic characteristics of the icons suggest that they may have been purchased in small groups in some provincial workshop in central Russia. The exhibition is divided into three distinct sections, according to the theme represented: Christ, the Mother of God and the various Saints who belong to the Orthodox creed.The exhibition, curated by Valentina Conticelli, Daniela Parenti and Vincenzo Gobbo, is an integral part of the cycle Never Seen Before, which every year presents, to the general public,  little known pieces of the collections of the Florentine Museum.

The Collection of Russian icons in the Uffizi

Uffizi Gallery, Florence- Hall of the Royal Post Office 

 20 December 2014 – 1 February 2015

Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m

Orari: da martedì a domenica, ore 10.00 – 17.00

 Free entrance

www.uffizi.firenze.it