EXPOSITION D'ICÔNES ANCIENNES

This municipal art gallery offers an enchanting visit. Housed in a historic house in old Plovdiv, it features a permanent exhibition of icons painted mainly between the ^17th and ^19th centuries. Early works depict Jesus Christ, the Virgin Odigitria and Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, dating from the late ^{15th-early16th} centuries. Also on display are eight ^16th-century Nessebar icons by the masters of the post-Byzantine Cretan school, among the most valuable and remarkable in the museum. The ^17th century is particularly well represented with a number of Byzantine icons by Rakitovo, whose work is distinguished by its elegance and respect for a certain classicism of Balkan art. A commemorative plaque bears witness to the journey made by Bulgarian pilgrims to Jerusalem, the monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai and the Holy Mountain (Mount Athos). Among the most precious and interesting icons are copies of the miraculous icons of Mount Athos, including the Holy Mother Troeruchitsa (Three Hands) from the monastery of Hilandar, the Holy Mother Portaritsi from the monastery of Iviron and the Holy Mother Immaculate from Vatopedi. These were created in the ^19th century from the original miraculous icons by the finest masters of Bulgarian iconography. Periodic exhibitions enrich the museum's permanent iconography. An abundance of beauty!