#Exhibit of the Month

Around thirty icons from the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova feature Saint Nicholas the Hierarch and Miracle Worker. While most represent the later iconographic tradition, a few early images stand out as rare examples due to their composition.
In the icon "Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life", the hierarch is depicted bust-length, blessing the Gospel. He is framed by two round medallions showing Christ and the Mother of God, who hand him the Gospel and the omophorion. Saint Nicholas, earlier than other saints, was portrayed with scenes from his hagiographic cycle. The first images of his life date back to the 11th century, represented on a folding icon from the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai.

The museum icon dates from the early 19th century, preserving the traditional chest format typical of classical icons. Twelve panels illustrate episodes from the saint's life, arranged from left to right: four on the upper register, four on the lower, and two on each side, as follows: Birth of Saint Nicholas (1), Baptism of Saint Nicholas (2), Miracle of Healing the Crippled Woman (3), Apprenticeship of Young Nicholas (4), Ordination as Deacon (5), Ordination as Bishop (6) Vision of Constantine (7), Saint Nicholas Saves Three Voivodes from Execution (8), Miracle of Rescue from Drowning (9), Miracle of Saving Basil from the Arabs (10), Dormition of Saint Nicholas (11), Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas to Bari (12).

Saint Nicholas the Hierarch is commemorated by the Orthodox Church twice a year: on December 6/19, the day of his birth, and on May 9/22, the day his relics were transferred from Myra to Bari (1087). Among all saints of the Christian world, the image of Saint Nicholas is one of the most popular, easily recognizable even to those unfamiliar with iconography.

He was born in the Roman Empire, at Patara in the province of Lycia, between 260-280, though early sources omit the exact date. Coming from a wealthy family, he rejected fame and luxury. From an early age he devoted himself to prayer and the study of Holy Scripture, while also mastering other disciplines. He avoided noisy gatherings and idle talk, attended church regularly, and pursued a life of chastity. Later he dedicated himself to pastoral ministry, defending the Christian faith with perseverance and firmly opposing heresies.
Through his care for people and the benefactions he performed everywhere, he became highly venerated not only in Myra but also in the surrounding regions. The grace of the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart was revealed through miracles performed both during his life and after his death, earning him the enduring title of "Miracle Worker." Saint Nicholas passed away in the 330s (circa 334-337), and his remains were placed in a sumptuous marble tomb in the episcopal cathedral where he had served for many years. This soon became an important center of pilgrimage.
Holy Tradition has preserved with accuracy the features of his portrait, and his appearance in icons is marked by a distinct individuality. Ecclesiastical art has produced numerous iconographic representations, ranging from bust images to full-length depictions. The diversity of these representations suggests that the final iconography of Saint Nicholas was not yet established, taking shape only in the 10th-11th centuries. It is said that an authentic icon from the basilica in Myra, executed during the saint's lifetime and mentioned in written sources as early as the 11th century, played a significant role in his veneration.
Icons depicting the hagiographic cycle of Saint Nicholas spread widely in both Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, confirming the importance and popularity of his cult.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„Da Vinci - Inventions”

February 1st – April 30th, 2016

The National Museum of History of Moldova is hosting a unique exhibition that presents the genius of Leonardo da Vinci as inventor and scientist. The unique mobile exhibition „Da Vinci - Inventions" was produced by the Australian company „Grande Exhibitions" under the guidance of „Leonardo da Vinci" Museum with support of Italian specialists.

Being for the first time in Moldova, the exhibition "Da Vinci - Inventions" is part of an international itinerary with displays in more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.

The exhibition brings together about 50 models of machines designed 500 years ago by the most important cultural figure of the Renaissance. The models, some functional, are made in wood and are fair copies of Leonardo da Vinci's projects that were not reproduced during the life of the inventor. To create these models, the Italian artisans studied more than 6000 pages of Leonardo's notebooks - the so-called codices, having to learn an old Florentine dialect, to interpret abbreviations, Leonardo's writing in the mirror and analyze his complicated designs.

The machinery presented in the exhibition is grouped into the following categories:

• Flying machines: Leonardo da Vinci is considered the father of flight. Initially he designed flying machines based on the movements of wings, believing that people can learn to fly if they create and operate machines that mimic the movement of birds. Later, da Vinci understood that men will never have the power to fly like birds. So he studied the flight without wings movement, exploring wind speed and ways to use air currents to reach great heights. In the exhibition are presented: glider, hang glider, parachute, device for measuring wind speed and air humidity, slope measurement device etc.

• Civil machines: Throughout his life, Leonardo worked on various technical projects, inventing machines to make work tasks more efficient. Many of his mechanical drawings are real works of art. Others are just sketches that relate directly to the mechanical device. In his old age, he revised his works on metallurgy, cranes, construction and textile machinery, proposing further improvements. Leonardo was also interested in music. From his many inventions, the mechanical drum is perhaps most fascinating. On display are: powered car, bicycle, machine for lifting pillars, pedometer, mechanical drum etc.

• Hydraulic machines / walking on water: Leonardo is noted for his work in the field of hydraulic engineering. He drew plans for control and regulation of rivers and drain of marshes. He studied hydraulic solutions already tested by other engineers, but proposing new solutions. Among his inventions are the hydraulic saw, wetsuit, double-hulled vessels, a paddle boat and safety belt, all presented in the exhibition.

• War machines: Although Leonardo was by nature a pacifist, he lived in a time of war, when the city-states of Italy were fighting among themselves and against France. War has posed new mechanical and strategic challenges and some of the most inventive activities of Leonardo focused on weapons for war. Some of his early projects are practical and easy to build, for example fast mobile bridges and ladders to assault fortresses. Later, his work has focused on defensive and offensive strategies: more durable bridges, ladders for assault, advanced artillery, mortière. Leonardo has developed plans for rifles with several pipes, cannons, catapults, giant crossbows, chariots fitted with scythes on wheels, armoured vehicles - predecessor of today tanks. All these inventions can be seen in the exhibition hosted by the museum.

• The principles of physics and mechanics: Leonardo believed that mechanics was the key to understanding the world. He studied the behaviour of elements - water, air, light - and identified models of behaviour in different situations. He made many drawings showing the swirling flow of water, air currents and the nature of light, shadows and reflections, always trying to understand the physical and mechanical principles they are based on. Among the pieces that are part of this exhibition compartment are: gearwheel mechanism, hammer driven by an eccentric cam, rotating ball bearings, elevator, etc.

Besides models of machines designed by the Renaissance genius, the exhibition also includes copies of the most famous anatomy manuscripts and notes of da Vinci. His detailed anatomy drawings are an amazing achievement. After three and a half centuries, they served as models for the anatomical drawings in the famous book "Gray's Anatomy", written by Henry Gray.

The exhibition includes also artistic works of da Vinci. On display are reproductions in full size of masterpieces "Mona Lisa", "The Last Supper", "Vitruvian Man", "Virgin of the Rocks", "Madonna Benois", "Saint Jerome" etc. Also, the exhibition shows drawings of the Battle of Anghiari. With the help of modern technology "The Last Supper" is projected on canvas in a funny and educational way.

The exhibition "Da Vinci - Inventions", presented at the National Museum of History of Moldova, provides the most comprehensive approach to the work of Leonardo da Vinci, captivating the visitors through the timeless genius of Leonardo. Visitors can move, pull, push, and rotate some objects to understand all the scientific principles underlying the inventions of the great Renaissance man.

#Exhibit of the Month

Icon “Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life”

„Da Vinci - Inventions”

February 1st – April 30th, 2016

#Exhibit of the Month