Russia on Roersma Iconpaintings

Mother of God with child

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 19:14:03 +0200

This icon usually goes by the name “Madonna della Consolatione”. Mother of god of consolation and is probably originating from the Byzantine Hodegetria Type (since the child is seated on his mothers right arm). It could also originate from the Kretenian-Venetian school. This type is widespread in East and West.

Mother God of the Sign

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 19:08:16 +0200

This icon belongs to one of the earliest depictions of Mary, the explanation is in Isaiah 7, verse 7-14. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Next to Mary’s halo are two cherubim. The primordial icon originated in Constantinopel, after the Christianization, this became the most important one in Novgorod.

Virgo Orans of Jaroslavl

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:08:29 +0200

The Mother of God Panhagia in this icon is one of the earliest pictures of Mary. The icon shows Mary in Orans pose (praying, with raised hands). In front of Mary, Jesus also has his hands outstretched. This ancient icon originates from Constantinople, from the then district of Blachernitissa. To the left and right at the top of the icon are the angels Michael and Gabriel respectively.

Saint Nicholas

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:00:07 +0200

Saint Nicholas the miracle-worker from the Palech school. Saint Nicholas is depicted in all his finery. With his right hand he makes a gesture of blessing, and in his left hand he holds the Book of the Gospels. He is the patron saint of seamen, but also of the family and children.

Mother of God Hodegetria

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:35:03 +0200

The hodegetria (“She who guides the way”) is a common picturing of the virgin in the Byzantine and Russian art. According to the legend, the first Maria Hodegetria was painted by the evangelist Lucas. During the first years of the 11th century, icons with this theme appear in Russia.

Mother of God of Georgia

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:32:01 +0200

Christ is seating on the left arm of his mother, who points to him with her right hand. Christ makes a blessing gesture with his right hand and keeps a script with a red ribbon in his left. The aureola is richly decorated, which is a typical Novgorodschool characteristic.

Mother of God 'Axion Esti'

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:23:35 +0200

The iconography of this icon is a variant of the Mother of God of Kykkotissa and is based on a miracle. In the 8th century, at the time of the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo III, a soldier attacked the icon with a sword, causing blood to flow from it. Full of remorse the solder fled to Mount Athos but the icon followed him across the water. Finding the icon on the beach, the soldier brought it to the main church of the Athos monasteries and the flow of blood was stemmed. In thanks the monks raised their voices to sing the ‘Axion Esti’.

Painted Ostrich Egg

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:20:32 +0200

Original design with two icon images: The Holy Mandylion Russia 17th century

Mother of God of Yaroslavl Russia 17th century

The birth of Christ

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:01:58 +0200

Along the top edge is written in Church Slavonic ‘The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ’. The icon depicts various scenes relating to the birth that follow the late medieval Russian iconography. In the centre is the adoration of the magi from the East, holding in their hands their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The ox and the ass refer to Isaiah 1 verse 3. In the top right hand corner are two angels, below them two shepherds playing the flute. In the bottom right hand corner the child is being washed, and in the bottom left corner is Joseph, listening to an old shepherd standing before him.

The Ascension

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:01:08 +0200

This icon is from the Novgorod school. It comes from the Malov-Kirillov Monastery and is currently in the Novgorod Art Museum. Christ is surrounded by angels who accompany him to heaven; below stand his mother Mary and two angels in white robes. At Mary’s side stand the apostles, six on her left and six on her right.

The Holy Mandylion

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:57:24 +0200

The holy Mandylion is a beloved representation in orthodox churches, the style is related to a “divine creation”-theme. As it doesn’t display the regular human representations. During Christ’s life on earth, the ill king Abgar of Edessa asked Christ to cure him. Christ did not travel to Edessa himself, but pressed a piece of cloth against his face. This cloth, showing an imprint of his face, was sent to the king. The cloth cured him of his illness

Jerusalimskaya Mother of God

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:55:24 +0200

The ancient icon which is said to be the work of the evangelist Luke was taken in 455 from Jerusalem to Constantinople, and from there to Kiev. Prince Vladimir presented it to the inhabitants of Novgorod when they became Christians. After Ivan the Terrible had subdued Novgorod, he took the icon with him to Moscow as booty in 1571.

The Old Testament Trinity

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:51:05 +0200

The Trinity is an illustration derived from the Old Testament, Genesis 18:1-5. The picture shows three angels around the table. They represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes Abraham and Sarah are also depicted.

New Testament Trinity

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:50:00 +0200

This icon of the Trinitywas painted according to the New Testament. Lucas 22 verse 69, “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”. Seated right is the Father, on a seraph throne. And left of him, Christ, holding the gospel book in his left hand and the Cross with his right. In the four corners, gospel symbols are pictured. Matthew as a winged human, Marcus as the lion, John as the eagle and Lucas as the bull.

Hagia Sophia

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:48:28 +0200

On this triptych the Wisdom of God (in Greek: ‘Hagia Sophia’) is personified in the image of a woman sitting on a throne. She has angel’s wings and holds a sceptre and staff in her hands.

To the left is the Mother of God with a diskos bearing the image of Christ Immanuel. To the right stands John the Precursor holding an open scroll in his hand. Above the Hagia Sophia is Christ Pantokrator, and above him six angels and an empty throne on which rests an evangeliary.

Mother of God Grusinskaya

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:43:34 +0200

The Gruzinskaya is virtually a mirror image of the Mother of God Jerusalimskaya.

It is probably a Byzantine replica of the latter, which was most recently found in Georgia where it was known as the Georgian or Iberian Mother of God. The oldest Gruzinskaya dates from around 1360 and was moved shortly afterwards to Moscow, where the replicas have become just as well loved as in Georgia.

Mother of God of Vladimir with crown

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:39:23 +0200

This Mother of God differs from that of the Vladimirskaya in its beautifully detailed crown with all kinds of embellishments.

The names are depicted within light-blue medallions. The robes of the Mother of God and those of Christ are highlighted in gold assist. The light background of this icon gives it an unusual appearance.

Mother of God of Vatoped

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:37:13 +0200

The icon of the Mother of God of Vatoped, named ‘Joy’ or ‘Consolation’ depicts the Holy Virgin from the monastery of Vatoped on Mount Athos. Similar icons can be found in the convent of Tavolzhank in Voronesh and the ‘Smolny Convent of the Resurrection’ in St. Petersburg.

Mother of God of the Passion

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:33:49 +0200

The Mother of God holds on her lap the Christ Child, who turns with a startled look to an angel holding a lance and a sponge. In the opposite corner is an angel bearing a cross. The baroque throne on which the Mother of God is seated is unique. The crown has been replaced by a headdress, as is often found in Southwest Russia where there was a clear Western influence.

Mother of God Moldavskaya

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:30:11 +0200

The Flowering of Moldavia.

The name refers to Moldavia in Romania.

The icon refers to the apocryphal story of the choice of Joseph as the bridegroom of Mary by the ‘Miracle of the Rods’. It is very rare to find a depiction of this story.

The Resurrection

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:20:00 +0200

In the centre is the figure of Christ clothed in a dazzling white robe. He stands over the abyss of darkness, where the broken doors, locks and hinges are still visible. The first to be liberated from limbo by Christ are the forefathers and the Kings of the Old Testament who stand behind him, together with Eve. Finally, Christ pulls Adam out into the light of mercy..

Mother of God of Kykkos

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:19:17 +0200

According to tradition, the first icon of this type was painted by Saint Luke. A typical feature of this icon is the way the Christ Child sits on the left arm of his mother, turning his gaze away from her. The child presents an opened scroll showing an excerpt from Luke 4 verse 18 or from Isaiah 61 verse 1. The icon takes its name from the Kykkos monastery on Cyprus. The festival for this icon is celebrated on 26 December.

Saint George and the dragon

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:18:40 +0200

Saint George, on a rearing horse, brandishes his lance to slay the dragon lying on the ground.

Virgo Orans of Jaroslavl

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:13:45 +0200

Our Lady of Sorrows

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:11:36 +0200

A Western theme, which was adopted in the 17th century by the Eastern Orthodox Church. It depicts the words of the old Simon who spoke to the Mother of God when she presented her son in the temple: ‘Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also’ (Luke 2:35). Seven white swords pierce her, representing the seven sorrows of Mary: the flight into Egypt, the prophecy in the temple, the twelve-year old Christ in the temple, the Crucifixion, the descent from the Cross, the burial, as well as the piercing of her soul.

The All-Seeing Eye of God

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:10:35 +0200

This icon has a strict geometrical structure, all the rings containing Church Slavonic inscriptions on a white background, referring to the figure depicted. In the middle ring is Christ Emmanuel, in the second ring four eyes, nose and mouth, ’the all-seeing eye’, in the third ring the Virgin Orante and in the largest ring the seraphim and cherubim. The four corner rings contain images of the four evangelists, with texts in the rings referring to each of them. In the upper middle ring is God the Father, with the seraphim and cherubim in the outer ring.

Saint Paraskeva

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:07:48 +0200

This Saint is commemorated in Orthodox countries on 28 October. She is the patron of housewives, merchants, thieves and lawyers, because Fridays are market days for women, when stealing is most prevalent and summary justice has to be handed down to the thieves. Since she fought for the purity of the faith, she can be depicted with a white hood or veil, which can be seen here. She was beheaded for her faith in the year 140.

Archangel Michael

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:06:47 +0200

The Arch Strategist ‘Who is as God’ reads the translation of Michael who, as a herald of the Apocalypse, weighs up the souls at the Last Judgment. ‘And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils’ (Revelation 18:1-2).

Trinity

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:05:53 +0200

The table at which Abraham seats his guests is depicted as a diagonal from bottom right to top left. The angel in the top left-hand corner sits in order of rank in a raised position and is identified as Jesus Christ by the nimbus with the letters O, W, N (I Am that I Am) and Christ’s name IC XC. Abraham offers him the head of the sacrificial lamb on an open platter, Sarah kneels and presents him with a golden cask. Abraham’s tent is depicted more as a palace or a temple.

Christ Blessed Silence

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:04:48 +0200

Christ is depicted on the icon according to the iconography of Emmanuel, but with the wings of an angel and bearing the title ‘Saviour and Blessed Silence’. This refers to ’the eternal silence of God’s existence’. The text on the prayer scroll reads ‘Why do you call me, My mother, My mouth was full’ (Isaiah 42:3 and Isaiah 53:7).

Guardian angel (Michael)

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:03:55 +0200

A favourite icon in Russia since the 17th century, especially among the Old Believers. In his right hand he holds the cross of blessing and in his left hand the sword (symbol of protection). As a separate pictorial motif, the depiction was first seen in the Christian East in the late Middle Ages. Psalm 91:11-12 says: ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways’

The Resurrection

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:03:07 +0200

The resurrected Christ stands in the light flooding down from above, over the abyss of darkness, where the shattered doors and hinges are still visible. The first people Christ liberates from limbo are the forefathers and Kings of the Old Testament, who stand behind him, together with Eve. Finally, Christ pulls out Adam into the light of mercy. Above, angels soar with the Cross and instruments of torture in their hands.

Mother of God Grusinskaya

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:59:51 +0200

The Grusinskaya in mirror image is virtually identical to the Jerusalimskaya Mother of God. A Byzantine copy of the latter probably found its way to Georgia, where it was called the Georgian or Iberian Mother of God. The oldest Grusinskaya dates from around 1360, shortly after which it came to Moscow where the replicas were as much loved as in Georgia.

Saint Nicholas

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:59:02 +0200

Mother of God, the stone not hewn by man

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:52:02 +0200

This icon depicts an exceptionally unusual theme of the Mother of God, usually called ‘Gora Nerukosecnaja’, translated as ‘stone not hewn by man’. The name originates from the text of the prophet Daniel (Dan. 2 verse 31-35) in which he interprets a dream of king Nebuchadnezzar. Church fathers used the image for the incarnation of Christ and the virgin motherhood of Mary. The rock here is shown in front of the Mother of God’s breast. Above the rock spans a rainbow as a symbol of God’s covenant after the Flood with Noah (Gen. 9 verse 8-17).

Mother of God, Comforter of the afflicted

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:51:01 +0200

A rare depiction of the Mother of Christ with the Christ Child. An unusual feature is that Christ sits on the Mother of God’s left arm, and that she points to Christ as in the iconography of the Mother of God Hodegetria. She is crowned and wearing a pink veil with a blue lining, which the Christ Child touches. Virtually nothing is known about the origin and meaning of this icon.

Joachim and Anna

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:48:59 +0200

The Golden Gate in Jerusalem was a meeting place for Anna and Joachim. This icon is also called ‘The tender meeting’; the name ‘The conception of Mary’ was sometimes used.

Guardian angel (Michael)

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:48:13 +0200

A favourite icon in Russia since the 17th century, especially among the Old Believers. In his right hand the cross of blessing and in his left hand the sword (symbol of protection). As an independent pictorial motif the depiction first finds its way to the Christian East in the late middle ages. Psalm 91 verse 11 says: ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.’

Mother of God of the Burning Bush

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:45:00 +0200

The theme of this icon comes from Exodus 3, in which God orders Moses to lead his people out of Egypt to freedom. Each image and each text has an eschatological character, pointing to the things of the future, of eternity.

Jerusalimskaya Mother of God

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:43:47 +0200

The Birth of Christ

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:18:49 +0100

The Christ-child lies in a manger in a cave with the ox and ass behind. Mary lies on a red carpet among the rocks and plants. Three Kings and shepherds are depicted as is the washing of the Christ-child. Joseph is being addressed by a shepherd. Saint Eudoxia, John Lestwitschnik and St Juliana are depicted above. The middle figure is better known as John Climacus.The icon is from the Novgorod school.

Deesis Triptych

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:16:10 +0100

A triptych of the Deesis Group of Procopius Chirin and Nicephorus Savin. The left panel depicts from right to left the Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel and the Apostle Peter. The middle panel depicts the Lord Sabaoth with the child Emannuel, also known as the Lord of Hosts. The right panel depicts from left to right John the Baptist, the Angel Gabriel and Saint Paul.

The Virgin of Jaroslavl

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:13:19 +0100

In this Eleousa icon, the relationship between mother and child is expressed in feelings of mutual intimacy. The child caresses his cheek against the cheek of his mother, gently holding her chin. The Christ Child is sitting on his mother’s right hand. In spite of her little son’s caresses, the Virgin’s expression, filled with foreboding for her son and the agony that awaits him, ranges from melancholic to deeply sorrowful.

The Virgin with Child

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:12:39 +0100

This icon is probably derived from the Palech school. During the Tsarist regime, this picture was a very popular subject. The Orthodox icon type is easily recognized by the Virgin’s gesture, holding two fingers against her cheek. Christ is holding an opened parchment roll in his hand with the text: “Pass judgement in the last court with mercy and compassion.”

The Virgin Donskaya

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:11:30 +0100

Mary tilts her head towards the Christ Child, who is sitting on her right hand, his knees drawn up and his bare legs on the left arm of his mother, who gathers his robe around him. The Christ Child puts his cheek against the cheek of his mother and holds his right hand out in blessing, while keeping his gaze fixed on his mother’s face.

The Virgin with Child

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:10:08 +0100

The Descent into Limbo (The Anastasis / The Resurrection)

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:09:11 +0100

In the Eastern Orthodox church the resurrection of Christ is represented above all by his descent into Hell. Christ has shattered the gates of Hell, bearing the cross in left hand. With his right hand he grasps Adam and pulls him first out of Hades. The figures in the top left include King David, King Solomon, Daniel and John the Baptist. Those in the top left include Eve and Moses. Below Christ is Hades, represented by a dark abyss containing the shattered doors and parts of their locks and hinges.

The Deesis Tier on seven panels

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:08:36 +0100

In the centre of the middle panel, Christ Pantocrator is depicted with the symbols of the four evangelists: the Eagle - John, the Angel - Mark, the Bull - Luke and the Lion - Matthew. The three panels to the left depict Mary, the angel Michael and the apostle Peter. To the right are John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel and the apostle Paul.

The Virgin Donskaya

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:08:02 +0100

This icon is of the Eleousa type and depicts the Virgin’s love for her Son. Their heads are bent towards each other and touch. Sometimes the hand of the child caresses the cheek of his mother or embraces her around her neck.

The Raising of the Prophet Elijah

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:05:39 +0100

Under fiery clouds, through which Elijah ascends to heaven in a chariot drawn by several horses, scenes depict his life. At the bottom right, Elijah, awaiting his death, lies on a bed while an angel exhorts him once again to have courage. To the left is his disciple Elisha, shown stretching his hands out to Elijah.

The Virgin with Child (Our Lady of Sorrows)

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:03:20 +0100

This icon differs from the traditional Virgin icons in the colours it uses. The headdress is also different. The icon’s origin is unknown

The Virgin Orans of Jaroslavl

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:59:57 +0100

The Virgin Orans of Jaroslavl belongs to one of the earliest pictures of Mary. In this icon, Mary is depicted in a praying pose (with raised hands). In front of Mary in the clypeus, Jesus also raises his hands. This archetypal icon originated from Constantinople, in the then district of Blachernitissa. On either side of Mary’s face, angels are depicted in medallions.

The Holy Hierarchy

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:58:32 +0100

To the left in the foreground are the patriarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostomos. To the right in the foreground are the holy healers Cosmos and Damianus. To the left and right at the top are the holy warriors Gregory and Demitrius, and in the centre at the top is the Mandylion.

St. Nicholas with Scenes from his life

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:57:58 +0100

In the middle St. Nicholas is depicted in all his finery. His right hand makes a gesture of blessing and his left hand holds the book of the Gospels. On the left panel the young St. Nicholas heals the arm of a woman. Underneath his baptism is depicted and he is already preaching a sermon. At the top of the right panel the young St. Nicholas is taught by his uncle. Underneath he is preventing the execution of three citizens of Mira.

The Dormition

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:52:42 +0100

Behind the elongated deathbed of Mary surrounded by mourning apostles is a large image of Christ with the soul of his mother on his arm, completely surrounded by an aureole. Above his head is an angel with six wings. The two bishops could be Hierotheos and Dionysius, who were both disciples of Paul and bishop of Athens.

The Descent into Limbo (The Resurrection)

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:50:28 +0100

The resurrected Christ is standing in the light flooding down from above, over the abyss of darkness, where the broken doors and hinges are still visible. Christ has liberated from hell the forefathers and Kings of the Old Testament, now standing behind him, as well as Eve. Finally Christ pulls out Adam into the light of mercy. Above, angels soar with the Cross and tools of torture in their hands. The picture is traditional.

The Circumcision of Christ

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:46:34 +0100

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the circumcision of Christ on the 1st of January. Icons with this theme are quite rare, and the origin of this one is St. Petersburg. In the Bible, only the evangelist Luke describes this event. Luke 2:21

The Virgin Emmanuel

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:44:14 +0100

This icon belongs to one of the very earliest pictures of the Virgin Mary. It is taken from the Book of Isaiah 7:7-14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Saint Nicholas and Mary Egyptica are depicted either side of the icon. After the Reformation in Russia in 989, this icon became the most important one in Novgorod.

The old testament Trinity

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:42:48 +0100