Item 16
Selected Saints
18th century
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel
12.5” x 10.5”
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

This icon depicts the three female martyr saints, Paraskeva, Ekaterina (Katherine) and Anastasiya. They each hold a cross symbolizing their martyrdom. Above each figure is a highly stylized and condensed title. At upper left the inscription identifies the figure below as Svataya Muchenitsa Khristova Paraskeva Naritchenenaya Piatnitsa (The Holy Martyr for Christ Paraskeva Who Is Called Piatnitsa). The central figure is identified as Svataya Muchenitsa Khristova Ekaterina (The Holy Martyr for Christ Katherine). And the inscription at top right identifies the figure below it as Svataya Muchenitsa Khristova Anastasiya Uzoryeshitelnitsa (The Holy Martyr for Christ Anastasiya Releaser from Fetters). This last title is used for Anastasiya of Rome. She went about aiding and redeeming captives, “releasing captives from fetters” (“Obleichenie uznikam ot uz”). So, in a shortened version, she is called Uzoryeshitelnitsa, or “Releaser from Fetters.” The icon is displayed next to its gilded silver repoussé and chased decorative cover (riza). The riza displays the hallmark for Moscow, and is dated 1796.