A Constructive Solution for Preserving Icons on a Wooden Base in the Temples of Ancient Russia

The installation of a modern heating system in the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Old Vagankovo (Moscow) led to the fact that some of the icons were located on the walls above the radiators. As a result of exposure to ascending non-isothermal warm air streams from radiators, the temperature of the surface of the icons, facing the interior of the church, rises significantly. This causes deformation of the wooden base of the icons, its shrinkage due to the absence of parishioners in the church and the swelling of wood during church services. As a result of periodic changes in the size of the wooden base of the icons, cracks appear on their front surface and the pictorial layer of icons is destroyed. To ensure the safety of ancient icons, a constructive solution is proposed for the podikonnik (protective horizontal board (wooden, plastic, or stone) under icon over heater), which makes it possible to lower the temperature on the surface of the icons and ensure their safety. It is advisable to use the proposed design solution not only in temples. It will be used in art galleries, exhibition halls and museums if the paintings are located above the heating devices.

P.N. UMNYAKOV, Doctor of Sciences (Engineering)

Restoration Art Institute (3, block 4, Gorodok imeni Baumana, Moscow, 105037, Russian Federation)

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