Nikolay Ivanovich Petrov and collection of Byzantine icons in the Church Archaeological Museum of Kiev Theological Academy

Abstract

Nikolai Ivanovich Petrov (1840–1921) – Russian and Ukrainian scholar, professor of the Kiev Theological Academy, long-term curator in the Museum of Church Archaeology at the Kiev Theological Academy. A significant place in this collection belonged to the Byzantine icons bequeathed to the museum by A.N. Muravyov and Porfiry Uspensky. N.I. Petrov himself was engaged in the acquisition of these collections. The works of icon painting (unique in themselves), originating mainly from Sinai and Mount Athos gave impetus to the development of the science of Byzantine art in Russia. Unfortunately, most of them were lost during the World War II, but photographs from the archives make it possible to continue studying them. N.I. Petrov managed to appreciate the collection of ancient Sinai and Athonite icons at its true worth, lay the foundation for their systematic scientific study, make many correct dating and iconographic descriptions of the works acquired by the Museum, sometimes even more accurately than Academician N.P. Kondakov.

Keywords

• n.i. petrov
• museum
• christian archeology
• byzantine
• icon
• sinai
• mount athos
• a.n. muravyov
• porfiry uspensky
• н.и. петров
• музей
• христианская археология
• византийский
• икона
• синай
• афон
• а.н. муравьёв
• порфирий успенский