IKONA Holy Women

The exhibition IKONA – Holy Women is the first to focus on the diversity of historical role models and the contemporary significance of female saints. The highly detailed icon paintings tell of these women’s scope of action, which they fought for. Over 78 exhibits from six countries provide an account of women’s biographies from the 15th to the 21st century. They reveal the central importance of holy women in traditions influenced by the Eastern Church up to the present day: the female saints on the icons are worshiped, sung to, kissed and invoked for help and healing. Their stories raise questions about spiritual practice based on sacred art as well as about tradition and changes in power relations, gender images and their transgression.