Item 32
The Ascension of the Lord
Circa 1800
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel
12” x 10”
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

The Ascension is a major church feast. The story is recorded in the Gospels of Mark and Luke and in the Book of Acts 3:19, “He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight.” Here Christ is seen rising to heaven within a circle of light supported by two angels. The footprints of Christ are seen atop the Mount of Olives. Below at center is Mary, mother of Jesus, flanked by two angels gesturing towards the ascending Christ while the disciples look on in wonder. At top in highly stylized and abbreviated old Church Slavonic is the title for this icon. It reads Voznesenie (the Ascension) Gospodne (of the Lord). On the left border is the Guardian Angel, Saint Niphont Archbishop of Novgorod, and the Holy Great Martyr Theodore. On the right border are the Venerable Moses of Hungary, St. Boniface, and the Holy Martyr Agatha. An exceptionally high quality icon, it was probably executed in or near Moscow.