I visited an exhibition in Recklinghausen (Germany) last saturday

The museum in the center of Recklinghausen exhibits ancient religious art.

It is located opposite the the St-Peters church. The place between those two buildings is vast and shows a huge relief of the old town in cast-bronze:

So many ancient masterpieces to see - I chose some of the most remarkables for this blogpost.

Most of the icons are painted on wood using eggtempera. Eggtempera is a traditional mixture of yolk, linseed oil, water and pigments. It dries very quickly and you can paint with light or white eggtempera on a dark colour coat. 

I hope you enjoy the selection

 Christ enthroned

by Elias Moskos, 1653

Eggtempera on wood, 84x119cm

 Virgin Mary, Mother ofGod, from Kazan

Russia, 1650-1699

Eggtempera on wood, 27x32cm

 Virgin of Vladimir with scenes of her legend and life

Russia, early 19th century

Eggtempera on cypress wood, 40x54cm

 Calendar with various portraits of virgin Mary

Russia, late 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 38x45cm

 "In Thee Rejoiceth"

Russia, 1700

Eggtempera on wood, 157x175cm

 Virgin Amolindos - Virgin of Passion

maybe by Andreas Ritsos, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 62x82cm

 Virgin Hodegetria

Crete, Greece, 1500

Eggtempera on wood, 39x51cm

 Madre della Consolazione - Virgin of consolation

Crete, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 38x47cm

 Triptych "Archangel Michael"

Russia, 1600-1650 - centerpiece midth 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 77x55cm

 

 Apostle Luke painting the icon of Virgin Hodegetria

Byzantium, early 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 18x26cm

Although small, this wonderful ancient icon is a chief work of the exhibition. 

It is on display behind a glass.

 Holy door of an ancient Iconostasis

on top: archangel Michael & Gabriel; 

below: Abbot Zosimas and Mary of Egypt

Crete, Greece, 2nd half 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 59x116cm

 Depiction of a 10-row russian Iconostasis with 134 small icons

A Masterpiece of Palech, Russia, early 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 60x72cm

 Calendar with saints and holy days of the christian year

Moscow, Russiam early 16th century

Eggtempera on wood, 91x158cm

 Nativity of Jesus Christ

Greece, 16th century

Eggt. on wood, 35x56cm

 The Annunciation of Mary by Archangel Gabriel

Crete, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 26x31cm

 Festive day icons

Russia, 1800

Eggtempera on wood

 Scenes from the life of Christ and Virgin Mary

Russia, early 17th century

Eggtempera on wood, Silverclad, 34x53 cm

 The last judgement

Russia, late 17th century

Eggtempera on canvas, 25x28cm

 Last Judgement

Russia, late 18th century

Eggtempera on wood, 81x106cm

 Nativity of Christ

Jerusalem, 18th century

Mother of pearl on wood, 8,5x12cm

I love this one due to it's size, purity and minimalism!

Saint Nicolas

Russia, early 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 71x92,5cm

Patron-saint of the children - his nameday is the 6th december.

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I love to give you a forecast of exhibitions I will visit in 2016: 

• Junior Toscanelli, a painter who paints an encyclopedia of art
• Thomas Baumgärtel, the Spraypainter who is famous for his Bananas
• Hyper-Realism of the USA
•  Degas & Renoir, Giants of Modern Art