Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 1760 to 1780 CE. Skillfully painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, an icon depicting the simplest form of the Deesis, featuring three figures (trimorphon): Christ sitting upon his opulent throne, with the Mother of God to his right and John the Baptist on his left, each figure labeled and donning a gold leaf halo; this trimorphon composition dates back to the early centuries of Byzantine art. The two most significant intercessors are depicted in 3/4 pose with their hands gesturing in supplication, holding scrolls in their hands closest to Christ. Other examples of the Deesis extend the composition horizontally to include the Archangels Gabriel and Michael, the apostles Peter and Paul, Elijah, the local patron saint of the church to whom the icon belongs, the Church Fathers, monks, martyrs, and the blessed - in full or half length and sometimes just as facial visages, on one or more adjacent panels. Size: 14.625" L x 12.125" W (37.1 cm x 30.8 cm)

In the words of scholar Alfred Tradigo, "Just as the earthly court of the emperor or tsar gathered around its sovereign, the heavenly court gathers around Christ the Lord in the monumental icons of the main register of the iconostasis." (Tradigo, "Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church" Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2004, p. 248)

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection acquired before 1980

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#122794

Missing back slats. Areas of craquelure and slight losses to pigment and gold leaf.