#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

“Shining Herend”

May 13th - July 13th, 2016

National Museum of History of Moldova, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy in Moldova and Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt. (Porcelain Manufacture Herend A.S.) organized the exhibition-event „Herend Glow" on the occasion of the International Museum Day held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of Moldova.

Over 600 Herend brand porcelain objects were displayed in two exhibition rooms on the ground floor of the museum. The exhibition opening, held on May 13, was attended by a large audience with H.E. Mátyás Szilágyi, Hungarian Ambassador to Moldova; Monica Babuc, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and dr. hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, who spoke words of greeting. The painter decorator Magyarosi Zoltan from Herend Manufacture offered a master class on painting on porcelain.

The exhibition of porcelain from the largest factory in the world that celebrates 190 years since its foundation contains a valuable selection of unique hand painted items belonging to the Hungarian cultural heritage. The vast collection brought to Chișinău for the first time provides a suggestive overview of the techniques and technologies specific to the Herend porcelain art making process, with an illustration of their amazing variety of objects. The exhibits present a great variety of shapes and decoration objects made of porcelain and a refined aesthetic taste of Herend products. Besides the most popular shapes and decorative elements specific to Herend models, in the exhibition were included also other "treasures" that are the pride of Herend manufacture, i.e. pieces showing bravery and professional prestige objects that make a demonstration of an outstanding technical virtuosity. Being part of the European and Hungarian cultural heritage, the porcelain manufactured at Herend has become immutable with the passing of time, a cultural creation of priceless value.

Short history of the Porcelain Manufacture form Herend

At a distance of about 1,000 kilometers, in Hungary, near Lake Balaton - the largest lake in Central Europe - is situated a small town, Herend, where in the last 190 years are being produced the finest items of porcelain in the world. This name is entirely associated with manual painting, perfection, tradition and innovation. It took a long way to achieve this.

Possession of porcelain objects in the nineteenth century was an exclusive privilege of the aristocracy. The delicate and precious Chinese porcelain, which had been known in Europe through imports made on the Silk Road the route, made a great impact on Mór Fischer, head of the artisan manufacture from Herend at that time. He was a man of a fine sense of artistry who achieved to replicate with detail the unmistakable quality of the refined import products. The small manufacture, founded in 1826 by Stingl Vince, continued to develop under his leadership. In 1842, Lajos Kossuth himself, the hero of the Hungarian independence revolution from 1848 to 1849, highly appreciated the porcelain manufactured at Herend. Shortly, the factory reached international success: at the first world exhibition held in London in 1851, Queen Victoria was very impressed with the models with peonies and playful butterflies that she commissioned a large set decorated with those ornaments. The most famous model of Herend manufacture "Victoria" was then created in memory of this event. The set is on display at the exhibition hosted by National Museum of History of Moldova.

Over the years, the porcelain manufactured at Herend became a delight of royals across the world, which showed respect and appreciation for the charm of the inimitable and sumptuous work. Beginning with the first touch of raw materials to the last brush line, the birth and decoration of the Herend porcelain is a special celebration of art, a celebration of the "craft" of the creative man.

Today, with a history of 190 years from foundation and rich experience, the Porcelain Factory from Herend produces already 16.000 different models and around 4.000 ornamental motifs, whose free combination can bring endless variations. The manufacture's primary purpose is preserving traditions and cultural heritage to be passed on to future generations, creating new values that enchant the eye.

Since 2001, the Herend Manufacture is part of the Hungarian heritage. The brand is synonym of quality, luxury and elegance.

Promotion of Herend porcelain as national Hungarian value is part of the manufacture's cultural mission, for this purpose numerous exhibitions have been organised both in Hungary and in other countries around the world (Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Japan, Romania, Slovenia etc).

In 2006, according to a survey conducted by the Luxury Institute in New York, the most popular porcelain brand on the US market is Herend. An act of recognition for the Herend Porcelain Manufacture was the membership as of 2011 in the French Association "Comité Colbert". Since 2013, Herend porcelain has become the brand "Hungarikum". These Hungarian and international recognitions confirms the successful promotion of Herend porcelain as national and international value.

We invite you to the first exhibition of masterpieces signed by Herend organised in Moldova. Herend porcelain will glow in all its splendour in Chișinău, in a vast and exclusive presentation.

Join the "Shining Herend"!

#Exhibit of the Month

Icon “Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life”

“Shining Herend”

May 13th - July 13th, 2016

#Exhibit of the Month