2012.03: MA: Pathways to Russia

MAPS: Pathways to Russia
On Exhibit: February 28 through May 26, 2012

www.museumofrussianicons.org/maps_exhibition.html

As an icon offers the devout worshipper tangible evidence of the intangible heavenly world, an early map confirms the reality of a far-away land that lies outside the observer's sensory experience. In this unique exhibition Maps: Pathways to Russia, we trace the West’s discovery of Russia through a carefully selected sequence of original maps and views, printed in Europe during the 15th through 18th centuries.

This special selection of maps, never before shown to the public, are from the distinguished private collection of Dr. Denis Khotimsky. An electronics engineer by training, Dr. Khotimsky was born in Moscow and has lived in the United States since 1992.

An enthusiast of cartography since youth, he recalls when over 10 years ago on eBay he quite accidentally discovered his first antique map, the 1595 Russia cum confinijs by Gerhard Mercator:

"It was a thrill to hold in your hands a piece of paper which has been around for four centuries, which, once upon a time, had touched the copperplate engraved by great Mercator himself and which still reflected the warmth of his hands!"

Since, he has assembled one of the finest collections of historical Russian maps in the USA and has become an acknowledged consultant to libraries and dealers regarding map identification. He also regularly publishes articles on the history of the cartography of Russia.

Dr. Khotimsky will give several public talks during the exhibition (date and times to be announced):

Where was Russia in the 16th century?

Visualizing images of the invisible: A concurrent look at a Russian icon and a printed map of Russia

Myths, legends, and secrets of Russian cartography

MAPS: Pathways to Russia
On Exhibit: February 28 through May 26, 2012

www.museumofrussianicons.org/maps_exhibition.html

As an icon offers the devout worshipper tangible evidence of the intangible heavenly world, an early map confirms the reality of a far-away land that lies outside the observer's sensory experience. In this unique exhibition Maps: Pathways to Russia, we trace the West’s discover…  (read more)

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