Russian week in London is once again upon us and, with the current strength of the Russian economy and worldwide stock markets achieving new highs, promises to be  another record-breaking event. Auctions of rare and valuable Russian paintings, icons, Fabergé and works of art will be held at the four major auction houses which cover Russian art : –  Bonhams, Christie’s, MacDougall’s and Sotheby’s.

Nicolas Roerich, ‘Sanctuaries and Citadels,’ 1925, Oil on canvas laid down on board, 25 3/4 x 38ins, pounds 500,000 – 700,000, Christie’s 3rd June.

A number of other events including concerts, talks and curator led exhibition tours, such as to the Victoria & Albert Museum’s exhibition, Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and Russian Tsars and Houghton Revisited, featuring paintings from the Walpole collection now in the Hermitage Museum, are also scheduled to take place.  For those with the time and energy a visit to Norfolk to see the Hermitage paintings in their original settings at Houghton Hall, one of England’s most beautiful houses, is strongly recommended.  The nearest railway station is King’s Lynn, with taxis available to Houghton Hall outside the station (20 minute journey). King’s Lynn railway station has frequent services from London (Kings Cross St. Pancras 1hr 35 minutes) and Cambridge (45 mins).

Houghton Hall

Alongside the sales and museum shows, several commercial galleries in London will host exhibitions of Russian art. These include the newly opened  St. Petersburg Gallery, which will unveil a fine display of Russian ballet and theater designs from the golden age of the Ballet Russes, and the nearby Erarta Gallery, which will be showcasing works by contemporary Russian artist Vyacheslav Mikhailov.

For a full review and guide to all the exhibitions and shows see www.russianartandculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RUSSIAN-ART-WEEK-GUIDE-JUNE-2013-English.pdf?utm_source=May+2013+Newsletter&utm_campaign=May+2013+Newsletter&utm_medium=email