Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. mid 19th century CE. A stunning rendition of the Hospitality of Abraham in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, referencing chapter 18 of the Book of Genesis in which three angels appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. Probably inspired by the famous icon by Andrei Rublev (ca. 1408-1425), this icon depicts the angels seated at a table with Abraham and his wife Sarah, both of a smaller scale, attending to the visitors. The four figures around the outside are saints - most likely personal patrons of the commissioner and/or recipient of the icon. The inscriptions are a bit worn; however, at the top left is a bishop saint, probably Nicholas, and at the bottom left is a desert hermit, possibly St Onuphrius. On the top right is a female monastic saint, possibly Evfrosiniia of Polotsk, and on the bottom right is a monk, presumably Sergii of Radonezh. While the inscription does not include this name, it does say, 'Holy venerable of Radonezh, the miracle-worker'. Size: 14.125" L x 12" W (35.9 cm x 30.5 cm)

According to curator Jeanne Marie Warzeski, "Because of the generosity portrayed towards the three visitors, this scene also is known as the 'Hospitality of Abraham.' Some scholars interpret the figures to indicate the New Testament Trinity: Christ at the center, above whom is the tree, signifying the wood of the Cross; the Father to the left, before a building, symbolizing the church; and the Holy Spirit on the right, below a hill, representing spiritual ascent. This icon type goes back to early Christian art and has remained the most common Orthodox depiction of the Trinity." She continues, "In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Pentecost is also called Trinity Sunday. Most Russian minyeia (calendar) icons will substitute a Pentecost image with that of the Old Testament Trinity."

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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#122796

Expected surface wear with faint pigment/gilt losses and minor losses, particularly at peripheries, as shown. Minor chips to verso.