The exhibition “Living Panels of Florentine Mosaic” showcased works by contemporary masters of stone-cutting art from across Russia—the Far East, the Urals, St Petersburg, and Moscow. The “living panels” offered visitors a cross-section of current mosaic practice, reflecting a wide range of styles and creative approaches. The key takeaway: mosaic art remains relevant today, absorbing contemporary cultural and technological trends while staying true to established artistic traditions. In the Florentine mosaic (pietra dura) technique, artists presented both familiar fairy-tale, historical, and mythological subjects, and surreal–abstract compositions that invite open interpretation. Although the works have left the museum walls, you can still explore them in our VKontakte group via the hashtag #мфм_экспонат.
Taking the place of the temporary exhibition is an integral part of the museum’s permanent display—the collection of mosaic artist Yury Shevtsov. Shevtsov creates mosaic illustrations for literary works by Pushkin, Gogol, Bazhov, Cervantes, and for folk tales. His works are distinguished by vivid, saturated colours; flowing, sinuous forms; and the use of predominantly Ural stones such as rhodonite, agate, and Orsk jasper. Art historians call Yury Shevtsov “a Fauvist among mosaicists.”
We invite you to the Museum of Florentine Mosaic, to Yury Shevtsov’s gallery, to experience “Fauvism” in mosaic and to revisit your favourite fairy-tale and mystical stories.
