16th century on Roersma Iconpaintings

The Archangel Michaël

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 19:26:28 +0200

This is the most “icon-painterly” work of Ushakov, but not without certain features of eclecticism (figure and background). It shows a certain loss of creative imagination characteristic of court artists while the technique of execution remains highly refined. Whom the small figure on the left represents is not known.

The icon is from the Tolmachevskaya-Sosnovskaya collection.

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.

Saint George and the dragon

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:02:58 +0200

With deadly accuracy Saint George, astride his horse, strikes the hideous dragon with his spear. The event unfolds in a barren landscape, dominated by craggy rock formations, the occasional tree and a pool of water. In the top right corner, a godly hand extends to bless the triumphant saint. To the left, three holy men, complete with nimbus and crosses, look on. The legend of the late third-century George of Cappadocia, as George was officially known, was especially popular in Russia during the Middle Ages. The courage he showed led him to be named ‘The Conqueror’.

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.

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.

Noli me Tangere

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:31:34 +0200

Mary Magdalene recognizes Jesus in the garden after his resurrection and says in Hebrew: ‘Rabbouni’ (Master). Jesus replies: ‘Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father.’ This icon also depicts other images, such as Golgotha, the empty tomb, the women bearing myrrh and the Hagia Sophia.

The Baptism of Christ

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:17:13 +0200

Christ, clothed only in a loincloth, stands in the River Jordan as John baptizes him. Above Christ are the rays of the Holy Ghost. In the river at Christ’s feet, still clearly visible as an ancient relic, is the river god Jordan. To the left of Christ stand four angels bearing his clothes in their hands. To the right an axe hangs in a tree, illustrating Matthew Chapter 3 verse 10: ‘Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

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.

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.

The Entry into Jerusalem

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:56:53 +0200

In the centre of this icon, Christ is riding on a colt* to Jerusalem. The apostles, led by Peter, follow their Lord. In the foreground children are spreading clothes and branches on the ground. The branches are taken from the trees in the centre. To the right, the citizens of Jerusalem come to greet Christ. This is described in John 12:12-15, Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-40. (*Matthew and John describe Jesus riding on an ass, Luke uses the word colt, which is a young horse)

The Resurrection of Christ

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:19:39 +0100

Figures with exaggerated gestures, betraying inner emotions, existed as early as the time of the Palaeologists. Standing on the destroyed gates of the underworld, Christ bows towards Adam, whom he raises from the grave. With her hands hidden, Eve prays for redemption for herself and those standing behind her. On the other side John the Baptist leads the Old Testament kings and forefathers. The icon was originally painted by Michael Damascene.

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 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 Jerusalimskaya

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:02:30 +0100

The archetypal icon, which is supposed to be the work of the evangelist Luke, came in 455 from Jerusalem via Constantinople to Kiev. The ruler Vladimir gave the icon as a gift to the citizens of Novgorod when they converted to Christianity. After Ivan the Terrible had subjugated Novgorod, he took the Virgin as booty to Moscow.

Mary Magdalene in the Garden with Christ

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:51:11 +0100

Mary Magdalene recognies Jesus in the garden after his Resurrection and says in Hebrew “Rabboni” (Master). Jesus says: “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father”. At the sepulchre is the empty tomb with the grave clothes that were wrapped around the body of Christ. John 20:1-18.

The Entry into Jerusalem

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:49:12 +0100

The Raising of Lazarus

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:48:40 +0100

The most impressive miracle done by Jesus in the presence of his disciples and followers was the raising of Lazarus, who had already been in his grave for three days. This event was celebrated by the earliest Christian communities as a prophecy of the resurrection of Christ himself. In spite of all the people in the icon, it emanates an atmosphere of serenity and one’s eye is drawn to Christ, pointing with his arm to Lazarus raised from the dead.

The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:47:18 +0100

This event has been one of the most important days to celebrate in the Greek Orthodox Church since the 6th century. The icon represents the events as described in Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:1-12 and Luke 9:28-36. Christ is standing in a dazzling light on a mountain, with Moses to his right and Elijah to his left. Kneeling below him is the apostle Peter who is pointing to Christ, with the apostles James and John beside him.

The Nativity

Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:45:45 +0100

Christ is lying in a manger in a cave. The Virgin is lying on a bed. At the bottom left, the child is being given his first bath. Nearby Joseph is deep in thought, with a shepherd in front of him. In the top left, the three wise men on horseback point to the star of Bethlehem. Over the cave is a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. To the right, an angel proclaims the birth to the shepherds. Luke 2:1-20.