Russian religious art occupies a massive place within the history of Christian faith, with a centuries-old iconography tradition represented by numerous talented icon painters and distinct iconography styles. Oleg and Ilya Kushnirskiy, the founders of Fine Art Shippers, are also deeply engaged in the preservation and cataloging of antique Russian religious art. A vast collection of Russian icons has become Oleg Kushnirskiy’s lifetime project, currently branded as Russian Icon Collection, and Ilya undertakes marketing and outreach activities on the project.

One of the significant achievements of Russian Icon Collection is the publication of the annotated catalog, “Russian Icons from the Mid-17th to the Early 20th Century. The Oleg Kushnirskiy Collection,” published by Merrell Publishers. Artnet interviewed Ilya on this occasion to discuss the project’s specifics, value, and roadmap.

Highlights of Artnet’s Interview with Ilya Kushnirskiy

The interview dwelt on the collection’s roots that Ilya Kushnirskiy’s father, Oleg, drew from his early fascination with old Russian art. Oleg traveled extensively during his life in the Soviet Union, purchasing old icons and antiques, and pursued his vocation by operating a Russian antique store after emigration to the USA. This business’s success, as Ilya shared, inspired his father to start building an extensive collection of antique Russian icons from scratch.

In his interview, Ilya Kushnirskiy explored the artistic and historical significance of hand-painted Russian icons by explaining the intimate connection of iconography with Orthodox faith and tradition. He also talked about the collection’s exhibition roadmap, from the dedicated display at the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis, MN, in 2024-2025, to future plans to exhibit the collection at the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton, MA, the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens, GA, and across major European cities. 

The interview also covered the basic conservation and storage tips for owners of old Russian icons that Ilya could share as the head of a three-decade-old fine art logistics company. When asked about his favorite items in the collection, Kushnirskiy indicated his specific attraction to the Yearly Menaion, a special type of Orthodox icon that represents a set of 12 images covering the entire liturgical calendar and thus serving as special guidance for every Orthodox family. The finale of the interview reiterated the importance of Russian icons as distinct art pieces and religious artifacts, and the essential knowledge about Russian religious art shared on the pages of the newly released catalog.