GUARDIAN ANGELS

Overview

Alexandra (82), icon curator, has spent her entire life rescuing icons from destruction and has managed to amass quite a collection. Just as icons come alive for Alexandra, the Rembrandt's Danae comes alive for other Hermitage-niks. This painting of "unworldly beauty" was severely damaged in 1985 by a lunatic. It was a most traumatic experience for the Hermitage, whose employees speak of Danae as if she were a dear friend.