A specialist in ancient Russian art assessed the transfer of the “Trinity” of the Russian Orthodox Church: “Doomed to die”

Rublev’s “Trinity” was transferred to the free use of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The document was signed by Patriarch Kirill and Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova at the Alexander-Sergius Lavra in the presence of St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov and a dozen other prominent officials and ministers of the church. The decision, according to which the icon passes to the ROC forever (a contract for 49 years with the possibility of extension), the Patriarch called “a historic event.”

Experts agree with this wording, only in a different vein: the event will inevitably become a historical tragedy, which will lead to the loss of the most important monument of ancient Russian icon painting.

Recall that there is still some time before leaving for the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where the icon is going to be exhibited in the Trinity Cathedral. Until July 18, the icon will be in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, then it will be transferred to the Grabar Center, and from there to the Lavra.

However, this is unlikely to affect the outcome. Andrey Rublev’s masterpiece is in danger of a slow death, Lev Lifshits, the leading specialist in ancient Russian art, doctor of art history, member of the commission of the Ministry of Culture on especially valuable objects of cultural heritage, is sure, with whom MK spoke.

– You recently said that we do not know the real state of the “Trinity” at the moment, since the curators and restorers of the Tretyakov Gallery do not have access to it in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. After the signing of the agreement, Oksana Chernega, head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate, clarified that the icon, although transferred to the free use of the Lavra, remains in the management of the Tretyakov Gallery. That is, the responsibility for it is “shared between the parties.” Is it possible to expect that the curators who have been observing the masterpiece for many years will be admitted to the “Trinity”?

– Hardly. It’s all word weaving. The decision to transfer Trinity is pernicious and completely political. There is no understanding of the state of the icon and the processes that happen to it, among those who made the decision. The monument is doomed to a slow death.

It is impossible to place an icon in an existing iconostasis. There is an icon painted by Nikolai Baranov, and this is the exact copy of the “Trinity” of the 1920s. It will not work to remove this icon from the iconostasis and leave a showcase instead, it simply will not fit there.

The issue of placement is a puzzle with a lot of unknown and unsolvable problems. Climatically, the Trinity Cathedral is not suitable for the “Trinity”. From the point of view of the schedule of services, nothing can be changed there either. Every day, a service is held near the tomb of Sergius of Radonezh – they will not be canceled.

– Restoration work is underway in the Trinity Cathedral. And even last year, information was published that a small fragment of a fresco by Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny was found under the roof. Is it possible to believe that this is how they prepare for the reception of the Trinity?

All the walls there were covered with soot and dirt. Cosmetic restoration is being done, of course, it is accompanied by some conservation work, but in general it is just a clearing. The walls are already covered with soot and dirt again. Otherwise, it is impossible there, there are no conditions in the Lavra for the Trinity.

It has never been just a prayer icon, this icon is a program icon, it was created at the beginning of the 15th century for a small monastic community. For an elitist vicious circle – for deep prayerful contemplation. And what contemplation can be now – in such conditions and circumstances?

– The most tragic scenario? How soon can destruction begin, which will become irreversible?

– Last year, the icon attended a service at the Trinity Cathedral, where it spent three days. After her return, the backlog of the paint layer was discovered, serious destruction, which required a lot of work by the restorers. And this is for a very long time. And what will happen in a month?

There are good restorers in the Trinity Lavra – Anna and Natalia Aldoshina. But they are not restorers-custodians. And at the “Trinity” it is necessary to put up a sentry in order to watch her all the time.

In the Trinity Cathedral, we will watch how the paint layer will crumble millimeter by millimeter – daily and hourly. This is the current process – that’s the whole trick. It cannot be left to chance. To do this, special conditions are created in museums that make it possible to restrain fluctuations in temperature and humidity conditions, and it must be kept in a very narrow corridor. Neither the Lavra nor the Grabar Center can afford this.

– How long can the Trinity stay in the Grabar Center? What is this delay?

– I do not understand the meaning and purpose of this step. There are competent restorers in the Grabar Center, but they have never been specifically involved in the Trinity, and their tasks are not clearly formulated. After all, “Trinity” does not need restoration, everything that could be done has already been done a long time ago, there is nothing to open and restore. We are talking about conservation: the “Trinity” must be supported. Keep on medication as a seriously ill person, arrange a good regimen for her.

Trinity has a problem – a dilapidated board. But they have been doing this for many years and have not come up with anything, and now they cannot. At best, the restorers will assemble a large restoration council, the conclusions of which are predictable: “Trinity” needs to lie in “bed”.