In Nizhny Novgorod, 47 masterpieces of wooden church sculpture have returned after extensive restoration.

      Text and photo of the Nizhny Novgorod State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve and the Ascension Pechersky Monastery of Nizhny Novgorod

      After restoration and conservation, 47 unique monuments of wooden church art from the Nizhny Volga region of the 17th to early 20th centuries have returned to the Nizhny Novgorod region from the collection of the Nizhny Novgorod State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve (NGIAMZ), the Nizhny Novgorod Art Museum, municipal museums of the region (Arzamas, Balakhna, Vetluga, Gorodets), and the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese. The exhibits will form the basis of the upcoming NGIAMZ exhibition "Cathedral of Saints. Three Centuries of Wooden Church Sculpture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region" at the Manege of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

      The implementation of the project became possible thanks to a comprehensive restoration program initiated in 2025 by the order of the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin.

      The restoration of the sculptures took place at the All-Russian Artistic Scientific Restoration Center (VKHNRC) named after Academician I. E. Grabar, including its Arkhangelsk and Kostroma branches, where leading masters of the country worked on the Nizhny Novgorod shrines.

      The restoration was carried out with the support of the ANO "Agency for the Preservation and Development of Historical Environment Objects of the Nizhny Novgorod Region." They emphasized that the Nizhny Novgorod lands have historically been famous for their carving masters, and the return of items from municipal districts to the cultural context highlights the continuity of traditions.

      The cooperation between NGIAMZ and VKHNRC helped not only restore the physical form of the items but also preserve their authenticity, which is important for understanding the local specifics of regional carving that flourished in the Volga region, as well as confirming the high status of the collection: most of the presented works were executed at a high professional level, likely by invited metropolitan masters.

      It is necessary to note the high artistic and historical value of the returned exhibits and the complexity of the work done.

      "Many of the restored sculptures had been in storage for decades, waiting for their time. We saw amazing results. For example, the 17th-century sculpture of Nicholas of Mozhaysk revealed bright, rich colors of clothing after cleaning. The restorers worked like surgeons. Thanks to the complex of restoration and conservation activities, we essentially have the opportunity to see all these monuments, as they were in emergency condition. I am confident that the exhibition 'Cathedral of Saints' will be a true revelation for the public in the field of ancient Russian art and will evoke a powerful emotional response," shared Yuri Filippov, the general director of NGIAMZ.

      The history of the presented sculptures is dramatic: throughout the 19th century, the Holy Synod repeatedly banned "carved icons," considering them idolatry and imitation of Catholicism. Many works survived only thanks to Old Believers who redeemed the venerated images. In the exhibition, visitors will see unique subjects, such as the multi-figure "Last Supper" and images of "Christ in Prison." A special exhibit will be the Shroud "Placement in the Tomb" from the 1770s, commissioned by the Arzamas priest Vasily Ilyin. The sculpture was considered the main attraction of the city even in pre-revolutionary times.

      The exhibition "Cathedral of Saints" at the Manege of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin promises to be not only an aesthetic event but also a profound scientific and educational project. In addition to the sculptures themselves, viewers will be presented with a scientific film about the restoration work, prepared by NGIAMZ staff in collaboration with VKHNRC specialists.

      The exhibition "Cathedral of Saints. Three Centuries of Wooden Church Sculpture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region" at the Manege of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin will open on April 13.

      The exhibition will feature a composition of "Burial of the Savior" consisting of seven restored sculptures from the collections of the Church Archaeological Museum of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese named after Archbishop Makariy (Mirolyubov), located in the Ascension Pechersky Monastery of Nizhny Novgorod. On April 6, the abbot of this monastery, Archimandrite Tikhon (Zatyokin), visited the Manege of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, where he familiarized himself with the progress of the exhibition formation.

      When citing, a link (hyperlink) to the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolis website is mandatory.

      More news about the event:

      47 masterpieces of wooden church sculpture returned to Nizhny Novgorod after extensive restoration

      Text and photo of the Nizhny Novgorod State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve and the Ascension Pechersky Monastery of Nizhny Novgorod

      After restoration and conservation, 47 unique monuments of wooden church art from the Nizhny Volga region of the 17th-20th centuries have returned to the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      Nina Serebryakova

      Photo: press service of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve from the site s12.stc.yc.kpcdn.net

      47 monuments of wooden architecture from the 17th century have returned to Nizhny Novgorod museums

      Nizhny Novgorod region received 47 restored monuments of wooden church sculpture.

      47 masterpieces of church sculpture returned to the Nizhny Novgorod region after restoration

      After extensive restoration, 47 unique monuments of wooden church art from the Nizhny Volga region of the 17th-20th centuries have returned to the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      Nizhny Novgorod region received more than 40 masterpieces of wooden church sculpture

      The Nizhny Novgorod region received 47 monuments of wooden church art from the 17th to early 20th centuries after restoration and conservation at the All-Russian Artistic Scientific Restoration Center named after Academician I. E.

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