In the 13th century, Mongols invaded Russia and dominated the area for over 200 years. Monasteries that were established in the area during the previous centuries by mainly Byzantine monks played a significant role in the preservation of Russia as a country, and it's religious identity. Since most of these monasteries were from the Byzantine Empire, the Russian's became even more closely associated with the Orthodox faith. In these monasteries, very talented icon painting developed from the traditional paintings of the Byzantine Empire. The official Russian Orthodox Church site article on the historical background of the Church can be found at http://www.russian-orthodox-church.org.r... .
After Russia became free from Mongol rule in the 15th century, the Turks invaded Constantinople, the Orthodox capital from which the Russian Orthodox Church was modeled. The Russian church became independent of Constantinople and the presiding bishops in Russia elected their own patriarch. In the 1600s, then Patriarch Nikon introduced reforms to the Russian church and Tsar Alexsis eventually supported the changes. Art in Russia became even more deviated from the Byzantine model and this period of art in the 17th century became known as the Moscow or National period of art. Barbara Nicholson Bell's article titled "17th Century Russian Orthodox Iconography" gives a wonderful history of the art that developed in Russia during this time. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1828... .
Those who did not agree with the changes and refused to follow state and church orders became known as the "Old Believers". Many of the Old Believers came from the monasteries and from villages near the monasteries. A new style of art on Easter eggs began to develop. Iconographers from the monasteries used their talent to paint icons on miniature Easter eggs. The eggs were not seen as prayer icons, but as objects of art. Many of these eggs would be hung from the ceiling by a ribbon or even worn as a necklace. The first known Easter eggs to be painted with icons were from Mstera. They chiseled the eggs out of wood and used pure gold to decorate them. A common theme was used on almost all of the Easter eggs painted from the Old Believers. On one side appeared an image of Christ conquering Hades and on the other side a picture of a Saint or distinguished individual. The Tyulin brothers, well-known iconographers from Mstera, painted Easter eggs as gifts for important people. For pictures and a detailed description of the Mstera Easter eggs, please go to the Russian Classics site,
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