32-Russian Icon The Ascension of the Lord
Circa 1800
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel
12" x 10" James and Tatiana Jackson Collection
he
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.
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image
33-Russian Icon Christ Immanuel
1816
Egg tempera, gold leaf, gesso on wood panel
17.5" x 14.25" James and Tatiana Jackson Collection
ere
Christ is seen as a youth. The type takes its name from Isaiah 7:14
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call him
Immanuel.” Immanuel is a representation of the Son “begotten of the Father
before all worlds.” His head is encircled in the standard cross-type halo
with the words HO ON inscribed upon it, the top left and right corners
with the Greek abbreviation of Christ’s name. At shoulder-length the
abbreviated Slavonic inscription reads “Gospod Emmanuil” (The Lord
Immanuel). The lower margin displays a period inscription that reads,
“This holy icon was blessed by the most reverend Bishop Xenofont of
Vladimir and Suzdal at the opening of the Suzdal Spiritual School on the
24th day of September in the year 1816.” The work features exceptional
detail throughout. Each hair on Christ’s head has been individually
painted.
he
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.
ere
Christ is seen as a youth. The type takes its name from Isaiah 7:14
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call him
Immanuel.” Immanuel is a representation of the Son “begotten of the Father
before all worlds.” His head is encircled in the standard cross-type halo
with the words HO ON inscribed upon it, the top left and right corners
with the Greek abbreviation of Christ’s name. At shoulder-length the
abbreviated Slavonic inscription reads “Gospod Emmanuil” (The Lord
Immanuel). The lower margin displays a period inscription that reads,
“This holy icon was blessed by the most reverend Bishop Xenofont of
Vladimir and Suzdal at the opening of the Suzdal Spiritual School on the
24th day of September in the year 1816.” The work features exceptional
detail throughout. Each hair on Christ’s head has been individually
painted.