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**First Time At Auction**

Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful triptych icon, finely painted on wood, presenting the Virgin of the Kiss - a subject that derives from a prototype purportedly painted by Saint Luke at Ephesus, and believed to be the first icon depicting the Virgin Mary that Prince Vladimir brought to Kiev in 988 - in the center flanked by St. John the Baptist wearing a golden brown robe over his ascetic penitential shirt of camel hair - his haloed bearded visage as well as his hands gesturing toward the Mother and Child - and St Nicholas the Wonderworker donning sumptuous episcopal vestments, wearing a cross adorned omophorion, giving benediction, and holding the Gospel. When closed, the two doors are inscribed with the Christogram ICXC, and there is a suspension hook on the verso of the central panel. Size (closed): 10.25" L x 7.25" W (26 cm x 18.4 cm); (open): 10.25" L x 14.125" W (26 cm x 35.9 cm)

Characteristic of a Mother of God icon, this piece presents the intensely expressive visages of Mary and baby Jesus, their pristine oval faces juxtaposed closely as the Child presses his cheek against his mother’s, the Virgin’s protective, maternal gaze revealing a bittersweet awareness of her son’s fate, returned by Jesus’ sweet, trusting innocence. Their playful hand gestures complements the emotional aspect of this composition.

Also referred to as the Angel of the Desert (because he was a preacher and hermit in the southern desert of Judea), the forerunner of Christ, the last of the Old Testament prophets, and the first saint, John the Baptist is one of the most popular and venerated figures in Orthodox hagiography. Depicted next to Christ and his mother, he also occupies a coveted position in the Deesis tier of the iconostasis.

Further contextual background on Saint Nicholas: this saint was a strong opponent of the heretical bishop Arius at the Council of Nicaea; after slapping Arius in the face, Nicholas was stripped of his holy insignia and tossed in jail. However, Christ and the Virgin appeared to him and gave him back his freedom and his episcopal office. Here shown with a serious countenance, a high furrowed forehead, concentrating eyes framed by arched brows, and a short, gray beard, Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a staunch champion of the Christian faith, a defender against heresy, and a healer.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#161093

Abrasions and chips to wood surface with small loss to upper front left corner. Hinges articulate. Nice craquelure to painted icons.

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