Byzantine Icons in ‘Heaven and Earth,’ at the National Gallery

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Holland Cotter

A processional sweep through Byzantine iconography, with about 170 items for many centuries.

WASHINGTON, D.C.---After arriving with no particular buzz, then being kept on ice by the government shutdown, “Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium From Greek Collections” has finally opened at the National Gallery of Art here, and it’s ambushingly resplendent, like a somber cloud with a fire inside. Like many government-sponsored treasure shows, this one — organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports in Athens, in collaboration with the Benaki Museum there — has a promotional angle: It would love to get us to go to Greece and spend some tourist dollars, especially given that country’s recent fiscal woes. I’m out the door, based on some of what’s here. [link]

National Gallery of Art: “Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium From Greek Collections” (October 6, 2013, through March 2, 2014); 2000B South Club Drive, Landover, MD; (202) 842-6353; nga.gov