This icon is divided into two sections with separate, (though similar), scenes one above the other. Both show Christ standing on a sloping ground surrounded by a red oval,  More »

This icon is divided into two sections with separate, (though similar), scenes one above the other. Both show Christ standing on a sloping ground surrounded by a red oval, (or nimbus), with white rays of light shooting from His body. In the lower area He is emerging from His descent into Hell pointing as if in admonishment, while an assembled group of saints watch in awe. The scene above is more serene, as if evil has been vanquished and the Spirit of God reigns supreme. The Christ figure appears less formidable and welcomes the righteous gathered around into His 'aura' of benevolent love. By using red as the main color scheme highlighted by black and white, the artist creates the sensation of evil versus good, of a battle between the spirit of darkness and light, with good winning in the form of the resurrected Christ. - (PF.2126)The Resurrection and Descent into Hell - PF.2126Origin: Russia Circa:1750ADto1900ADDimensions: 16.125" (41.0cm) high x 12.25" (31.1cm) wide Collection: Russian Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wooden Panel   « Less

A gorgeous domed Orthodox Church provides the stunning background for the Virgin Mary's ascension into heaven. She is floating on a cloud followed by apostles, saints and  More »

A gorgeous domed Orthodox Church provides the stunning background for the Virgin Mary's ascension into heaven. She is floating on a cloud followed by apostles, saints and archangels. Christ welcomes His mother by accepting a petition, while numerous saints in the costumes of kings, bishops and hermits are below on the earthly level. In this complex collection of scenes devoted to a single miraculous event, the artist has skillfully created an impression of heaven and earth, and how each realm is intimately connected with the other through faith and piety. - (PF.3487)The Ascension of the Virgin - PF.3487Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 12.375"(31.4cm)high Collection:Russian Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Paint on Wood Panel   « Less

Whether intended to be hung in a church or for private worship, the icon is both an artistic form and an object of devotion. Deriving from the Greek word for image or  More »

Whether intended to be hung in a church or for private worship, the icon is both an artistic form and an object of devotion. Deriving from the Greek word for image or reflection, the icon depicts holy personages, saints, scenes from the scriptures, the Holy Family and Christ. This beautiful icon shows Christ facing frontally, giving His sign of blessing, and holding the scriptures. The lovely silver is original, gracefully depicting Christ's robe decorated with a detailed floral pattern. With great skill and loving care, the artist has depicted Christ's face as supernaturally serene and extremely gentle. The silver halo sparkles in the light, radiant as the robe framing the compassionate expression of the Saviour. - (PF.4756)Christ Pantocrator - PF.4756Origin: Russia Circa: 1800 AD to 1900 ADCollection: Russian Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood/Silver   « Less

Matthew was working as a tax collector for the Romans in Capernaum when he was called by Jesus to be an apostle (Matt.IX, 9). The authorship of the First Gospel was attested  More »

Matthew was working as a tax collector for the Romans in Capernaum when he was called by Jesus to be an apostle (Matt.IX, 9). The authorship of the First Gospel was attested to him from early times. On this lovely icon Matthew is shown writing his famous work, with an angel perched above. Written on the text is a listing of the lineage of Jesus. The delicate, pastel coloration communicates a gentle quality appropriate to a much beloved saint. Broad areas of shading, and the angular folds of the garments is reminiscent of medieval painting. An overlapping of a fold of clothing over the border adds an element of perspective. The artist has managed to create a balance of great tranquilityblendedwithfervent religious faith, seen particularly in the intensity of the saint's eyes; who seems to be divinely inspired. - (PF.4845)Saint Matthew Inspired by an Angel - PF.4845Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADimensions: 12.875" (32.7cm) high Collection: Russian Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Paint on Wood Panel   « Less

This beautiful icon shows a saint offering his blessings with his right hand raised. He wears a gorgeous vestment of gilt silver, like those of cloth worn by high-ranking  More »

This beautiful icon shows a saint offering his blessings with his right hand raised. He wears a gorgeous vestment of gilt silver, like those of cloth worn by high-ranking members of the clergy. He cradles the Holy Book with his left hand, done in the same relief as the vestment and seeming to be a part of it. A brilliant glittering halo surrounds his head with radiating beams of light, creating a wonderful contrast with the dark face and beard. His features are those of a man who has seen much suffering, but whose grace and compassion shine through the human to reflect the Spirit of the Divine. - (PF.4846)Icon Depicting a Saint - PF.4846Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 13.75" (34.9cm) high x 11.625" (29.5cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood/Silver   « Less

Christ offers His blessings with right hand raised as He holds open the Holy Book with the left hand. The realistic folds of the silver gilt clothing give the impression of  More »

Christ offers His blessings with right hand raised as He holds open the Holy Book with the left hand. The realistic folds of the silver gilt clothing give the impression of lightweight cloth hanging loosely on Jesus’ body. A halo in relief focuses attention on the very beautiful painting of the face, which expresses both the intense spiritual passion of Christ as the Son of God and his compassion as the Son of Man. Nearly covering the entire surface of the icon is an area composed of wavy incising, like ripples of energy emanating from the Saviour. The overall effect is a lovely balance of ornateness and simplicity, combining brilliant reflections from the gilt with rich warmth from the delicate oil paint. - (PF.4848) Christ Pantocrator - PF.4848Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 6.875" (17.5cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood/Silver   « Less

In this splendid icon the artist has incorporated a distinctive Western Baroque quality in the design of the church, with a perspective typical of medieval European  More »

In this splendid icon the artist has incorporated a distinctive Western Baroque quality in the design of the church, with a perspective typical of medieval European manuscript painting. The strong late Byzantine character of Russian icons is enlivened by an animated quality in the figures. Through a parting of billowy clouds, God the Father looks down upon the scene, holding a globe and offering His blessings. The inscription above reads, "I in My glory". The infant Mary is seen wrapped in swaddling clothes resting upon a crib resembling flickering flames. Below, her mother Anna rest upon a bed, recuperating her strength. Joachim sits nearby at the table, upon which are two loaves of bread and a pitcher of wine, symbols of the Eucharist. At the bottom left, Anna and two handmaidens prepare to wash and bundle the little baby Mary. While saints pray along the border, angels swoop in from heaven, creating a feeling of energy on different planes of perspective. This effect makes the physical seem supernatural and the purely spiritual appear an intimate part of the real. It is this dualism that lies at the heart of the Christian faith, to which art hasgivenitsinvaluableservice.-(PF.4849)The Nativity of the Mother of God - PF.4849Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 15.75" (40.0cm) high x 13.25" (33.7cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Paint on Wood Panel   « Less

Mary of Egypt was a harlot living in Alexandria around the 5th Century A.D. While in Jerusalem she converted, crossed the River Jordan and began her journey into the  More »

Mary of Egypt was a harlot living in Alexandria around the 5th Century A.D. While in Jerusalem she converted, crossed the River Jordan and began her journey into the wilderness where she lived a solitary life of penitence. Other saints are associated with her, including Mark, Nicholas and Zosimas. At the center of this delightful icon, she is pictured approaching the River Jordan, having just seen a vision of God the Father offering His blessings. Other scenes surrounding the central image present the same location, since it marked a pivotal point in her life; symbolic of her crossing from earthly pleasures into the life of the spirit. In Orthodox hagiography, St. Zosimas is believed to have come across her naked in the woods and offered her his cloak. These simple and poignant scenes represent a fundamental principal in Christian faith--renouncing sin for purity of the soul, exchanging worldly goods for a life of poverty and prayer. - (PF.4850)Icon Featuring Mary of Egypt - PF.4850Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 17.5" (44.5cm) high x 15.25" (38.7cm) wide Collection: European Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood Panel   « Less

Of the five figures in this icon three wear gorgeous royal robes and crowns. Each of the three are looking at the two tall figures at left who are dressed in vestments of  More »

Of the five figures in this icon three wear gorgeous royal robes and crowns. Each of the three are looking at the two tall figures at left who are dressed in vestments of long robes and black hoods, one of whom is Saint Peter. Hovering above this solemn scene is a framed picture of the Virgin and Child resting on a cloud held on the sides by two angels, whose white wings present a sort of arch over the earthly scene below. The artist has managed to blend, through symbolism and spatial arrangement, a secular moment in a spiritual context; with saints, royal personages and angels interacting on a human plane that is instantly appealing. - (PF.4851)Icon Featuring Five Saints - PF.4851Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions:12"(30.5cm)highx10.75(27.3cm)wide Collection:Russian Icons Style:Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood Panel   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of themosaicandfresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of themosaicandfresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in theend permitted, athoroughdistinctionbetweenprofaneartintendedtodepictrealityandsacredartdesignedforspiritualcontemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful eproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slowevolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance. Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination. The Presentation of the Virgin-PF.4852Origin:Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 12.25" (31.1cm) high x 10.75" (27.3cm)wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil On Panel   « Less