The Mikhailovsky Palace

The collection of the Russian Museum is particularly rich in icons by such leading Muscovite masters as Andrei Rublev. St Paul the Apostle (circa 1408) and its pendant St Peter the Apostle come from the deisus tier of the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Vladimir. When Rublev painted his icons, he bore in mind that they would be viewed from far below. This explains the absence of details and the clear and concise silhouettes of the figures. The composition’s colour scheme — green-blue clothes on a changing background of yellow and gold — lend it a calm and ceremonial air.

The rather menacing title of one of icon — Saviour Furious Eye (late 14^th or early 15th century) — reflects an iconographic type popular among the Old Believers. It emphasised the role of Christ as the judge of mankind. Such icons were popular in Russia during the Time of Troubles, when the Orthodox church split into those faithful to the old canons.