The exhibition “To the Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum” offers a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into a collection that has been almost entirely inaccessible to the public.
Comprising more than forty rare and opulent objects, the show features extraordinary examples of European gold and silversmith, in addition to sumptuous textiles, gifted to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem by Catholic monarchs and emperors between the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries.
These treasures — ranging from gem-encrusted liturgical objects like chalices and candlesticks to richly decorated vestments in velvet and damask —represent the pinnacle of European decorative arts of the era. Their survival is remarkable, as similar works were often melted down or destroyed, making this exhibition a crucial display of a largely lost artistic tradition.
What makes this exhibition special is not just the dazzling artistry and material richness of the objects, but the profound historical and spiritual narrative they embody.
I highly recommend visiting The Frick Collection so you can judge for yourself. See what resonates with you and which pieces you are most drawn to.
Observing the visitors, their attention was drawn not to the gold and jewel-encrusted pieces, but to objects reserved for devotion.
The silver altar made an impression on a visiting priest. He was so struck by its beauty that he admitted he found it hard to appreciate the rest of the display. To him, the altar’s perfect condition and lasting significance meant it could be used today.
Every sacred space—be it a temple or a church—is known to carry the palpable energy of the prayers offered within its walls.
This same principle holds true for devotional objects, as various materials absorb and radiate different kinds of power. At the heart of the display, you can sense that you are surrounded by this sacred current, where the prayers of centuries resonate with the beauty and significance of each piece.
Safeguarded and continually used by the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land for centuries, these works are not static museum pieces but “living objects” integrated into the religious life of one of Christianity’s most sacred sites.
The collection vividly illustrates the enduring political and religious connections between European royalty and the Holy Land, documenting a centuries-long tradition of symbolic gift-giving.
As the first United States venue for these newly rediscovered treasures, “To the Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum” provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intersection of faith, diplomacy and master craftsmanship, offering an illuminating and deeply moving cultural experience.
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