MADISON, WI.- The icon is a distinctive form of holy image in Eastern Orthodox cultures, intended to evoke sacred presence by appealing to the senses. Holy Image, Sacred Presence: Russian Icons, 1500–1900 presents about thirty works from the museum’s permanent collection to explore the distinctive devotional functions, religious experiences, iconography, and changing styles of Russian icons from the sixteenth to early twentieth centuries. Examples include a mandylion (miraculous image of the face of Jesus), proskynetaria and iconostasis panels from Orthodox churches, and small devotional icons for private use. The exhibition is on view March 12– June 5, 2011. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, many monasteries and churches were closed and the best icons were collected in state museums. Those