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24-Russian Icon
The Dormition of the Mother of God
Circa 1800
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel, 21.5" x 17.5"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection


he Dormition depicts the death or “Falling Asleep” of Mary. Tradition related that when her death grew near, angels brought the apostles from different parts of the world to be present at her side. Thomas, who arrived later, should correctly be omitted but often is not as in this example. Here the Apostles are seen arriving in clouds pushed by angels. Christ stands behind his mother in an aureole surrounded by different ranks of angels. Christ receives his mother’s soul, represented as an infant. The Apostles stand around her. A fanatical Jewish priest (sometimes named Iefoniya or Athonios) stands before the bier on which Mary lies. Attempting to push it over, he has his hands cut off by a sword-wielding angel (he later repented and was healed). In the circle at upper center is Mary enthroned and ascending heavenward, an element not part of early iconography. The story of the Dormition is based largely on a fourth or fifth century apocryphal work called “The Discourse of Holy John the Theologian Regarding the Dormition of the Mother of God.” The Dormition is one of the twelve major church festivals and is celebrated on August 28th. This icon represents workmanship which in its day would have been considered of the highest quality. The small holes along the border suggest that at one time the icon may have displayed a riza.
 

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25-Russian Icon
The Nativity of Christ
Circa 1800
Egg tempera on a shaped wood panel, 19" x 19"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection


n this icon of the Nativity of Christ, the Mother of God (Mary) is depicted kneeling before a cave in a hill. The newborn Christ lies in a manger with the star of Bethlehem shining upon him as an ox and an ass look on. Three angels surround them and the three Magi present gifts. To the right Joseph, Mary’s husband, listens gloomily to an old shepherd who is traditionally seen as the devil in disguise. The Evil One is tempting Joseph to doubt the truth of the incarnation and virgin birth. Below a midwife, named Zelomi, prepares to wash the newborn child. With her is another named Salome, first cousin of Christ’s mother, who questions Mary’s virginity. When she touched Mary to test her physically, Salome’s hand withered. It was healed when she repented. This story is related in the apocryphal Protoevangelion of James. The traditional or older style composition of this subject disappoints Westerners used to the innocent joy of Italian and German Nativity scenes. However, this example shows strong Western influence and therefore has a more cheerful and intimate feel. The shape and size of this icon suggests it was from an iconostasis in a small chapel or church. Stylistically, this icon conforms to those produced in the Ural mountain region east of Moscow, possibly Nevyansk.