CENTER FOR ICON STUDIES

The Center for Icon Studies (CIS) at the Museum of Russian Icons promotes the continuing study of all aspects of sacred icons. While the Museum’s primary focus is Russian icons, CIS takes a broader global perspective. It supports research in iconology and iconography, including but not limited to conservation, historical and comparative studies, and geopolitical, religious, and spiritual areas.

In support of its mission, CIS publishes the online Journal of Icon Studies with peer-reviewed articles and reviews of books and exhibits. In addition, researchers have access to educational videos, publications, and research tools, including a dictionary of icon terminology, a Russian-English lexicon of saints’ names, and the museum’s extensive collection.

The CIS also provides a venue for the online publication of important monographs, museum catalogs, and translations of primary documents related to icons.

Our research library is available for use by appointment. Please contact the Museum Registrar, Laura Garrity-Arquitt at 978.598.5000 x116.

Annual John Barns Research Scholarship

Position Title: Researcher

Reports To: Director of Interpretation

Start Date: Flexible

Duration/Schedule: Minimum 120 hours, flexible schedule

Location: In-person

Stipend: $750, awarded at the completion of the research period

Application deadline: April 30, 2023

Summary:

The John Barns Research Scholarship is open to any person with a broad or specialized interest in icons or iconography, the religious art of Eastern Christianity. The Museum offers a myriad of research possibilities and fertile ground to investigate, explore, and interpret the visual traditions and culture of the art of the icon. Additionally, the candidate may want to break new ground in understanding the icon tradition in America with both historical and newly created American iconography.

Possible topics to explore:

  • Carved wooden icons of Saint Nicholas
  • Carved wooden figures of St. Nil Stolbensky
  • Unconventional subjects that developed in Russia, such as the All Seeing Eye of God and Sophia Wisdom of God
  • Icons of Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible
  • Painted borders with art nouveau or imitation enamel cloisonné
  • Oklads
  • More topics available upon request

To Apply:

Please send a current résumé or C.V. with a letter of interest and a copy of an unofficial transcript to Amy Consalvi, Director of Interpretation, at aconsalvi(at)museumofrussianicons.org. Selected candidates will have a short, 30-minute Zoom interview with the Director of Interpretation and John Barns.

The Raoul and Mary Smith Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant at the Museum of Russian Icons

The Center for Icon Studies (CIS) at the Museum of Russian Icons promotes the study of all aspects of sacred icons. While the main focus of the Museum is Russian icons, CIS takes a broader perspective. It is interested in the origin and development of orthodox icons from the Byzantine period to the modern era around the globe.

To promote this goal the Center is offering The Raoul and Mary Smith Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant. This annual grant funds a Ph.D. candidate to conduct in-house research at the Museum. The grant recipient will use the Museum’s resources – a collection of over 1,000 icons, a 2000+ volume research library, and a network of scholars and museum professionals – to conduct their research. In addition, the research will support the CIS and the Journal of Icon Studies, published annually by the Museum.

The grant amount is $2000. To apply, send by April 30, 2023, a Curriculum Vitae, two academic letters of recommendation, and a two-page letter describing the dissertation topic, including justification of the use of the Museum’s icon collection and library to Amy Consalvi, Director of Interpretation, at aconsalvi(at)museumofrussianicons.org. Any questions regarding the grant or application process can also be directed to aconsalvi(at)museumofrussianicons.org.