Russische Iconen
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).
Size: 20 x 25 cm.●
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’
Size: 58 x 34 cm. ●
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.
Size: 28 x 35 cm.●
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.
Size: 21 x 26 cm.●
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.
Size: 25 x 30 cm.●
This icon comes from the Novgorod school and differs from the traditional type that is usually depicted with a frontal aspect. He is referred to several times in the book of Daniel (Chapters 10 verse 21 and 12 verse 1). The name is derived from the Hebrew word jakal which means ‘to overcome’or ‘to be the strongest’.
Size: 27 x 35 cm ●
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).
Size: 34 x 25 cm●
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.
Size: 26 x 35 cm●
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.
Size: 20 x 24 cm.●
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.’
Size: 50 x 24 cm.●