It began to bend and "cry" with glue: Rublev's "Trinity" was removed from the iconostasis of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.
Andrei Rublev's 15th-century icon "Trinity" has been removed from the iconostasis of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius for an inspection. Experts intend to assess the masterpiece's condition and, if necessary, repair its climate capsule.
Reports of damage to the masterpiece and a faulty display case
The Legal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church stated that the procedure was proceeding as planned and was stipulated by an agreement with the Russian Ministry of Culture. However, the official announcement was preceded by a wave of media and social media reports. Art historians and journalists stated that the masterpiece of ancient Russian painting had been stored for several months in a faulty display case with high humidity.
A photo of the icon also appeared online, revealing deformation. Due to climate changes, the wooden boards swelled and warped, squeezing out the glue at the old joint.
The reaction of the Russian Orthodox Church, experts, and the history of the icon's transfer
RBC sources confirm that the display case may indeed require repairs. However, art historian Ksenia Korobaynikova noted that the capsule is damaged, but "not as critical as is being hyped."
However, other experts treat the official explanations with sarcasm.
It's strange that no one has yet had the bright idea to claim that the icon began to stream myrrh because of the approach of imminent victory. Of course, the "people from the Lavra" will save their own asses and call anything a fake, and claim that enemy voices are stirring up panic.
This is how journalist Ksenia Luchenko reacted to the news. As a reminder, until the summer of 2023, the "Trinity" icon was kept in the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery, under strictly controlled temperature and humidity conditions. However, in the summer of 2024, the icon was finally transferred to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.
