Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th century CE. Beautifully delineated in egg tempera, gesso, and varnish on linen and wood, a large icon depicting the Holy Face with Archangels Michael and Gabriel holding up the ends of Veronica's veil that bears the imprint of Christ's visage. The cloth forms an arch symbolizing the vault of the heavens, and the Archangels' bending reveals Christ, who "stretched out the heavens like a tent" (Psalm 104:2). A very special Acheiropoieta (also called Icons Made Without Hands) devotional piece, an icon believed to have come about via a miracle rather than being created by a human. Size: 20.125" L x 16.125" W (51.1 cm x 41 cm), custom stand not included.

In the Eastern Christian world, the Holy Face is referred to as that of the Mandylion, the portrait of Christ sent to Edessa to cure King Abgar. This image was discovered inside a wall in the year 545 and transferred to Constantinople in 944. It was then exhibited in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople until the year 1204 when it disappeared during the Fourth Crusade. Some believe that it may correspond to the famous folded Shroud of Turin. The keramion (tile) that walled in the Mandylion during historic persecutions purportedly preserved a reverse image of this Holy Face. Three known Holy Face icons derive from the Mandylion of Constantinople: those of Novgorod, Laon (France), and Yaroslav.

By contrast, according to Western belief, the portrait of Christ is a visage miraculously left by Jesus on a veil that Veronica used to wipe his face on Calvary, and the Golden Legend tells of Emperor Tiberius' cure by this veil which Veronica brought to him in Rome. The relic which is actually referred to as "Veronica" (stemming from vera icon meaning "true image") was purportedly copied many times before it was lost.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#124577

This icon was made from two joined wood panels. The long fissure down the right side is a result of the separation between the panels over time, but the join is still holding. Expected surface wear commensurate with age, with scuffs and nicks as shown.