FLAMING WRITING. THE ART OF ENAMEL

"Flaming Writing. The Art of Enamel" is a large-scale project that brings together masterpieces of enamel art from state and private collections. The exhibition continues the program of the All Russian Museum of Decorative Art, "Collections and Collectors," and offers visitors a rare opportunity to see the history of artistic enamel development from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Two great enamel schools – the Russian and the French (Limoges) – are presented together in one space, showcasing their unique development and creative dialogues over the centuries. The exhibition spans over eight centuries of enamel art history, from medieval masterpieces of the 12th century to works by contemporary artists. Visitors will see masterpieces from museum collections – items by Fabergé and Ovchinnikov jewelry firms, works by Tenisheva, vases, ladles, chalices, plates, and boxes in the Russian style, unique items of Rostov enamel, as well as Limoges enamels from a private collection – an exceedingly rare 12th-century reliquary casket, Penicaud and Raymond works, and the publication "The Life of Joan of Arc" adorned with enamels by Jules Sarlandi. The exceptional artistic quality of each object on display makes this exhibition a remarkable cultural event. Exhibits come from the collections of the All Russian Museum of Decorative Art, the State Historical Museum, the Smolensk State Museum-Reserve, and the private collection of Natalia Karpovich – many are being exhibited for the first time. The Limoges Enamel School: From the Middle Ages to the 20th Century The first section of the exhibition is dedicated to works by masters from the city of Limoges – a world-renowned center of enamel production that set the artistic and technological standards for centuries. This collection spans from the 12th century to the first half of the 20th century and allows to show such a complete perspective of Limoges enamel for the first time in Russia. Russian Enamel Art The second section of the exhibition presents Russian enamel art from the 17th century to the present day. These works illustrate the development of the distinctive Russian enamel school and its organic integration into the broader European artistic tradition. Of particular note is the section dedicated to the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries – the era of the "Russian Style," the "golden age" of Russian enamel. The exhibition features enamel art masterpieces by renowned masters and firms of this period: Fabergé, Ovchinnikov, Khlebnikov, Rückert, Sazikov, Postnikov, Kurlyukov, Olovyanishnikov, and others, as well as works from the famous workshop of Princess Tenisheva. The 20th Century and Modern Enamel Work The exhibits in this section demonstrate the full diversity of enamel techniques and styles – from "agitational" enamels to landscape panels, works by the famous "Rostov Finift" factory, and conceptual works by contemporary artists.