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Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 1700 CE. A colorful, iconographically interesting painted and gilded wood icon depicting the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles. The Apostles were the people who were with Christ during His ministry on the earth and who witnessed many of his miracles and teachings. St. Peter and St. Paul stand in the front and center, holding up the Church in their hands. Above them, the Eye of God (sometimes called the Eye of Providence or the All Seeing Eye) looks down from within a triangle, which represents the Trinity (Ps. 33:18). Size: 10.2" W x 14.5" H (25.9 cm x 36.8 cm)

In Orthodox Christianity, a Synaxis is an assembly for liturgical purposes, often celebrated with a particular day - the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles is celebrated on June 30. It is an ancient festival. We know that when Constantine the Great built a church in Constantinople in the 4th century in honor of the Twelve Apostles, he left instructions for celebrating this feast day. In this depiction, the Apostles are clearly identifiable by their unique faces and coiffures (and by their names written in their halos); their clothing, down to their sandals, has fine detail. They stand on a green floor with a yellow background, bordered by a series of frames.

Provenance: Ex-private Ventura County, CA collection, acquired prior to 1990.

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#121483

Wear to paint, with losses to upper portion and smaller losses to lower portion and edges. All iconography that remains still has clear pigment and details, with largely readable text. Two slats are nailed across the back (nails - which are contemporary with the piece - can be seen through losses in paint on front) at top and bottom.