In 1926, when Queen Marie of Romania traveled to the Pacific Northwest to dedicate Maryhill Museum of Art for her friend Samuel Hill, she carried with her a variety of art objects that became the nucleus of the museum’s permanent collection. Included in this material were some fine Russian icons. The icon collection has since grown, through donation and purchases, and now includes more than 25 items. This selection of Maryhill’s Orthodox icons features images of St. Nicholas, St. John the Baptist, the Mother of God, and other subjects.

Image: Unknown Russian artists, Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign (Platytera) with beaded riza, c. 1800–1850, tempera on wood panel and glass beads, 9” x 8”; Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art