Holy Russia in Louvre
Release
On March 2, 2010 in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy a Russian art exhibition, Holy Russia, was opened in the Louvre. The exhibition was dedicated to the Year of Russia in France. The general sponsors of the event were Gazprom, GDF SUEZ and Total.
The exposition was comprised of over 400 items owned by 24 major Russian museums and libraries.
Chronicles of Ivan the Terrible. Second half of 16th century. State Historical Museum (Moscow)
Such a considerable collection of the Russian medieval art masterpieces has been exhibited for the first time ever. Among the Holy Russia exhibition items, there are rare fragments of frescoes, icons, coins, early portraits of Russian tsars, unique manuscripts and books.
Portrait of Ivan the Terrible. First half of 17th century, tempera, wood. National Museum (Copenhagen)
Dating back from the ancient times to the epoch of Peter the Great (9th to 18th centuries), the exhibits shed light on the Russian art roots as well as on ancient archaeological cultures of Eastern Europe and their Byzantine origin.
Female necklace. Early 12th century, gold, enamel, gem stones, pearls, filigree. Moscow Kremlin Museum (Moscow)
Deemed to be the largest cultural event within the Year of Russia in France, the exhibition will end on May 24, 2010. During the mentioned period, the Louvre will host featured lectures, conferences and colloquiums dedicated to the Russian art. The visitors could also attend concerts of Russian classical music, screenings of theatrical performances and retrospectives of Russian movies.
Along with energy cooperation deepening, Gazprom, GDF SUEZ and Total are collaborating on public relations, communications, cultural and sponsorship projects.
During the years of cooperation, Gazprom and GDF SUEZ sponsored the following events: concerts of French and Russian classical music, paintings exhibitions in the State Historical Museum, Hermitage Museum and Musee d’Orsay.