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34-Russian Icon
Deisis Wing
Circa 1825
Tempera on wood panel
21" x 16.5"
James and Tatiana Jackson Collection

he center or focal point of the Orthodox altar screen (Iconostasis) is the Deisis. Deisis is Greek in origin meaning “prayer.” It is used to describe icons or grouping of icons which show Christ in the center flanked by Mary on His right and John the Forerunner (Baptist) on His left. The Deisis can be depicted on a single panel or multiple panels, expanding outward with a specifically ordained order. This example shows the right side of the Deisis depicting from left to right; John the Baptist, The Archangel Gabriel, and The Apostle Paul all turned inward towards Christ in an attitude of prayer. It is probably from an iconostasis in a small provincial chapel.

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ere Nicholas is shown full length, holding a sword in his right hand and the Gospels in his left hand. The basic composition conforms in some ways to the image of Nicholas known as “Mozhaisk.” However, the offered icon would appear not to be that variant, as it is titled quite clearly in abbreviated Old Church Slavonic along the top inside a cartouche, which simply reads “Svyatuiy Nikolae Chudotvorets” (Holy Nicholas the Wonderworker). At top left is Christ who is said to have presented him with a book of Gospels. At top right is the Mother of God holding a bishop’s stole (omophorion), which she is said to have given him when he was imprisoned. At the base are four vignettes depicting various scenes from the life of Nicholas. They are clockwise from upper left: Nicholas saving a poor merchant by buying his rug and giving it back, the saving of the drowning boy, the return of the boy Agricola (abducted by Saracens) to his parents, and Nicholas’ appearance to Emperor Constantine in a dream to free three imprisoned men. The large size of this icon would suggest that it was a church icon, probably in a small chapel dedicated to Nicholas or perhaps an altar devoted to the saint.